In a simple and unassuming way, Cynthia Clifton approached L’’OBSERVATEUR last week with a request: “Can you place this in the newspaper?”

She was referring to a handout about “Show Me Nutrition,” a series of free classes open to the community promoting nutrition for the whole family in an easy and affordable manner.

The handout asked, “Are you interested in learning more about nutrition and your health? Are you interested in learning more about your families’ health? Well, join us at the Homer Joseph Community Center at 366 NW 2nd St. in, Reserve.”

The classes begin Wednesday, last from 3 to 4:30 p.m. each session and run through June.

The weekly classes work as a series, but it is not necessary to attend them all.

Topics include an orientation, the importance of family meals, the MyPlate Wheel, physical activity needed for the family, ways to add more activity to your day, how to get motivated and balancing calories in and out.

It’s a perfect opportunity that Clifton, as LSU AgCenter associate extension agent and area nutrition agent, is more than happy to provide.

“What we’re going to do is talk about family meals,” Clifton said. “A lot of times when you give kids things that you eat, they are going to eat it. Kids watch what their parents eat. If a parent is eating broccoli, the child is more likely to try it, too. There are also recipes in the packets that families can do with their kids so the kids can help them cook.”

If you are interested, call Clifton at 985-497-3261 to register or for more information.

A detailed breakdown of the classes was shared in Wednesday’s newspaper and is available at lobservateur.com.