East Baton Rouge and East Feliciana residents are showing a growing interest in learning about nutrition and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, thanks to the efforts of local nutrition educator Evan Egana. One of the recent highlights of Egana’s outreach was a food demonstration at Liberty High School, where over 500 students participated over two days. The students were given the opportunity to prepare cheese quesadillas and guacamole, introducing some of them to avocados and guacamole for the first time. It was a delight to see students trying new foods and enjoying them.
Egana has also been actively involved with The Ageless Circle, where he led a session on making fruit pita pockets and provided education on the MyPlate nutrition guide. This hands-on approach not only engaged the participants but also provided them with practical knowledge they can use to improve their daily diets.
At Hope Ministries, Egana collaborates with Mrs. Cristy Davidson, the Vice President of Volunteers and Food Programs. Davidson provides Egana with a list of available items in advance, allowing her to create nutritious recipes for the program participants. Recently, she mentioned having received shelf-stable milk, which initially posed a challenge. However, Egana turned it into an opportunity to innovate, creating a delicious Strawberry Smoothie recipe that was well-received by the participants, who expressed enthusiasm about trying it at home.
Egana’s dedication extends to the youngest members of the community as well. At Robyn’s Nest Learning Center, she initiated a garden project for the Early Head Start students. The children are actively involved in growing eggplant, squash, bell peppers, and tomatoes. This initiative teaches them about gardening and healthy eating and fosters a sense of responsibility and connection to the food they consume.
Reflecting on his work, Egana shared, “This job has been so rewarding, and I can’t wait to continue making an impact in the community this summer and school year.” Her efforts are making a tangible difference, encouraging healthier eating habits and a greater understanding of nutrition among East Baton Rouge and East Feliciana residents.
