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National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month, a time dedicated to empowering individuals and communities to make informed food choices and develop healthful eating habits. At UF HealthStreet, we recognize that nutrition is more than what’s on our plates. It is a vital part of our overall well‑being, our ability to prevent chronic disease, and our capacity to live active, fulfilling lives.
This month, we are celebrating the role that nutritious food plays in strengthening our community. From understanding the basics of balanced meals to exploring the impact of nutrition on heart health, diabetes, and mental wellness, National Nutrition Month offers an opportunity for all of us to learn, grow, and support one another in building healthier lifestyles.
HealthStreet’s mission is rooted in connecting people to the resources, education, and research opportunities that improve health outcomes.
In October 2025, UF HealthStreet's H.O.P.E. Food Pantry began offering a greater supply of high-quality, nutritious food thanks to a new partnership with Feeding Northeast Florida. This partnership represented a commitment to making sure our community members are being offered nutritious options for their meals. The pantry is now the only clinic site in Alachua County with a “Healthy Pantry” designation.
Additionally, the following articles and resources found in the UF/IFAS Health & Nutrition archive can help teach individuals on how to properly nourish the body and mind.
- Discover essential nutrients for healthy aging.
- Learn how to make healthy, family friendly meals on a budget.
- Understand the role of fats in your diet.
- Explore the link between probiotics and heart health.
The graph below is the self-reported food security status and visits made to the H.O.P.E. Food Pantry among HealthStreet members from when the food pantry opened in 2024 to 2026. Before the opening of the H.O.P.E. Food Panty opened, 46% of HealthStreet members reported being food insecure, while 54% reported being food secure.
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Cooking Demo Classes Return to UF HealthStreet this Spring
UF HealthStreet is once again partnering with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), the academic arm of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), to offer an engaging series of cooking demonstrations throughout the spring. Led by Dr. Jeanette Andrade and her students, these classes are designed to support healthier living and expand culinary confidence, these weekly sessions bring together the expertise of UF/IFAS CALS with the mission of HealthStreet to connect community members with meaningful health resources. Beginning this spring, classes will take place every Monday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. During each hour‑long session, the UF/IFAS CALS team will guide HealthStreet community members through step‑by‑step meal preparation, share practical cooking tips, and discuss the nutritional value of featured ingredients. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn new techniques, ask questions, and sample the dishes prepared on-site.
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The Pantry Gourmet
Welcome to "The Pantry Gourmet!" Discover quick and easy recipes made with quality items community members can likely find in HealthStreet's food pantry! |
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Red, White, and Green Grilled Cheese
Switch up your cold sandwich with this delicious red, white, and green grilled cheese filled with tomatoes, mozzarella, and spinach.
Ingredients:
• 1 teaspoon garlic (minced, about 1/2 clove)
• 1 small onion (minced, about 1/2 cup)
• 2 cups spinach (frozen, thawed, drained or 2 bags (10 oz each) fresh leaf spinach)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 slices whole wheat bread
• 1 medium tomato (rinsed, cut into 4 slices)
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded, part-skim)
• non stick spray Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400 °F. Place a large baking sheet in the oven to preheat for about 10 minutes.
- Heat garlic with cooking spray in a medium sauté pan over medium heat. Cook until soft, but not browned. Add onions, and continue to cook until the onions are soft, but not browned.
- Add spinach, and toss gently. Cook until the spinach is heated throughout. Season with pepper, and set aside to cool.
- When the spinach and onions are cool, assemble each sandwich with one slice of bread on the bottom, one tomato slice, ½ cup of spinach mixture, ¼ cup of cheese, and a second slice of bread on the top.
- Spray the preheated nonstick baking sheet with cooking spray. Place the sandwiches on the baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the bottom of each sandwich is browned.
- Carefully flip sandwiches, and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until both sides are browned. Serve immediately.
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The UF HealthStreet Research Registry celebrates 15,000 community members
UF HealthStreet, a nationally recognized community engagement program housed within the University of Florida’s Department of Epidemiology, celebrates a significant milestone: 15,000 community members have been interviews with the Health Needs Assessment and consented to join the Research Registry.
Since HealthStreet’s opening in November 2011, this achievement highlights the organization’s sustained commitment to linking residents with medical services and opportunities to learn about research that matters to them.Robert Baez, PhD is Director of Operations at HealthStreet; he says “At its core, HealthStreet is about building trust. By listening to community members and responding to their health and social needs, we are creating pathways not only to care, but also to meaningful participation in research that benefits everyone.”
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Research Study Opportunities
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If you are interested in hearing about these or other studies, HealthStreet community health workers can navigate you to a study coordinator. They can be reached at 352-294-4880. |
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Community Events at HealthStreet
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H.O.P.E. Food Pantry
Available to our members facing food insecurity, and can be accessed by members once per week. Located at our building off of Old Archer Road.
Mondays & Thursdays Noon - 4 p.m.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays
& Fridays
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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Saving Smiles Clinic
Saving Smiles promotes children’s oral health by offering free, on-site, preventive and limited dental care through collaboration with community partners.
Monday, March 9
12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Tuesday, March 10
through
Thursday, March 12
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
By Appointment Only
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Al-Anon
Group
Al-Anon is a mutual support group of peers who share their experience in applying the Al-Anon principles to problems related to the effects of problem drinking.
Thursdays
Noon - 1 p.m.
(Hybrid Meeting Link)
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Cooking Demo Classes
Starting this March, UF HealthStreet, along with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, will once again host a series of cooking demos at HealthStreet throughout the spring.
Monday, March 9
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
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HIV Testing & Counseling
HealthStreet’s free and confidential HIV testing and counseling, offered throughout Spring 2026, is scheduled to occur every Friday. Please call to schedule an appointment.
Fridays
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
To schedule call,
(352) 294-4880
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HealthScreen at HealthStreet
The community-based initiative offers free health screenings for hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Don't wait—join us at UF HealthStreet or find us at one of our outreach events and receive your free assessment!
Mondays & Thursdays
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
To schedule call,
(352) 294-4880
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For a list of all of our upcoming community events and outreach locations view our calendar here.
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NARCAN® Saves Lives
Narcan Nasal Spray may counteract the life-threatening effects of an opioid overdose. Since most accidental overdoses occur in a home setting, it was developed for family, friends, and caregivers - with no medical training required.
HealthStreet has distributed 16,248 NARCAN® kits—32,496 total units—since 2020.
HealthStreet has partnered with Florida Department of Children and Families to distribute NARCAN® in our community. Call 352-294-4880 today to get your own NARCAN® Nasal Spray at no charge to you.
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Consider Donating to HealthStreet
Together, we can make a difference!
Your donation will directly support essential services and truly make a difference in our community. Every dollar you contribute helps us take steps towards reducing disparities that affect so many.
Just imagine the impact of your generosity: for $25, you can provide 15 personal care items, ensuring dignity and basic hygiene for those in need. With $50, we can purchase 16 daily bus passes to RTS, giving individuals reliable transportation to access vital jobs, healthcare, and services. And with $100, we can fuel the vehicles that our Community Health Workers use with 32 gallons of gasoline, enabling them to reach those in need and provide critical referrals and support.
We are also asking for direct donations of personal care items such as: shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, body wash, shaving kits & cream, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, deodorant, floss, pads, tampons, disposable wipes, hairbrushes and diapers.
Another way that you can make an impact in our community is by donating to the HealthStreet Clothing Closet! There is an ongoing need of the following items: men's clothing, women's clothing, children's clothing, baby clothing.
Clothing and personal care items can be directly donated at our HealthStreet location anytime between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, so we can place these items into the hands of those who need them.
Let’s join forces and create an extraordinary impact together!
Thank you for your kindness!
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