Peer Nutrition Education Program
The Peer Nutrition Education Program is now located in Picnic!
Come on by and ask Karson, 4th year human kinetics student, your food and nutrition questions. Karson will be hosting several days of the Peer Nutrition Education Program this semester. Here is when and where you will find him:
- Feb 28 – Farmer’s Market (UNC 100) – 11am-1pm
- Mar 9 – Drop-in at Picnic (UNC 122) 11am-1pm
- Mar 14 – Farmer’s Market (UNC 100 or outside if the weather is nice) – 11am-1pm
- Mar 23 – Drop-in at Picnic (UNC 122) 11am-1pm
- Mar 28 – Farmer’s Market (University Way, between UNC and Fipke) 11am-1pm
- Apr 6 – Drop-in at Picnic (UNC 122) 11am-1pm
- Apr 11 – Farmer’s Market (University Way, between UNC and Fipke) 11am-1pm
What is the Peer Nutrition Education Program?
This program provides students with the opportunity to connect with Nutrition Peers who have a nutrition education background. Students may drop-in during scheduled hours to ask their burning food and nutrition related questions. Nutrition Peers are enrolled in the HKIN 401 practicum, HKIN 402 practicum, or HKIN 499 research practicum and have a background in nutrition and health and they are supported by the Campus Wellness Dietitian. You many occasionally also see the Nutrition Peers at events around campus – keep an eye out for them!
History of the Peer Nutrition Education Program
The Peer Nutrition Education Program was previously called the Nutrition Education Centre (NEC). The NEC was started by faculty member Dr. Sally Stewart, who teaches nutrition courses in the Faculty of Health and Social Development. The NEC started in 2011 when Dr. Stewart had a vision where students could access basic nutrition support from other students, while also providing students the opportunity for leadership and innovation in the area of food and nutrition.
Through the NEC, peers have led workshops, hosted an annual healthy bake sale, hosted the annual THRIVE Breakfast for Champions, shared Kindness Cookies at exam time, promote Eating Disorders Awareness Week, and organize Mirrorless Monday.
The NEC grew to include a partnership with Campus Wellness, who opened the Wellness Hub in Picnic in Jan 2023. The NEC moved locations into the Wellness Hub, and is now a program run in partnership with Sally, the HKIN practicum placement program, and Campus Wellness. The name was updated to the Peer Nutrition Education Program.