http://www.hfhl.umn.edu

Scholarship recipient Kitty Baker of Lanesboro Local offered this report:

1. Briefly describe your experience at this event
Two-day event presented scientific research on food and nutrition on day one. And practical application case histories of improved food systems on day two.
2. Was it a valuable experience?
It was especially useful in hearing different experts explain the nutritional science and the reasoning that can raise consciousness about better eating.
3. What are 3 key things you learned?
A. You not only are what you eat, but also what you don't excrete.
B. The same diet (at Dakota County group homes) that helped overweight residents lose weight help an underweight resident gain!
C. The body is a highly adaptable processor and food is its essential programming information. Well raised, well prepared foods tell the body what to do - convert to energy, bolster the immune system, use as building material, store as fat, eliminate, etc. Junk food and other highly processed foods are confusing to the body - not well recognized - don't effectively support all the same processes.
4. How will this new knowledge benefit you?
It will inform the newsletter I write for Lanesboro Local. Will also help with PR messaging to raise awareness of the importance of eating well. And may affect priorities in choosing projects for our local foods non-profit.
5. How will you use this new knowledge to benefit your community?
Will offer classes on local food and will carry more good food items at our Marketplace - the only source of food in Lanesboro besides the gas station and restaurants.