Hello, Crestview! If my picture looks familiar, it’s because I am a local gal.
I grew up on Airport Road, and I now work at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension, with the Family Nutrition Program, on the same road.
I spent the last seven years in Virginia serving in the United States Navy as an aircraft mechanic. During my time in the service, I had the opportunity to finish my bachelor's degree in Public Health.
As the FNP assistant, I conduct food demonstrations and tastings, money-saving grocery store tours, and help with school and community gardens.
I also teach classes on healthy eating and physical activity.
In addition, FNP helps individuals eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program learn better eating and physical activity habits to reduce the risk of obesity and chronic diseases.
FNP programs can be found at many places within our community: schools, libraries, community centers and adult job training sites are just some of the few areas that we serve.
Check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UF.FNP/, on our website at http://uffnp.org/, or venture on down Airport Road and stop into and see me.
It is good to be back in Florida and my hometown.
I look forward to working with new and familiar faces around the community.
Rebecca Catalena is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CATALENA: Here to help improve North Okaloosa residents' health