Celebrate National Nutrition Month® with WIC!
National Nutrition Month® happens every March. It started in 1973 to help people learn how to make healthy food choices and stay active. The 2026 theme, Discover the Power of Nutrition, shows how good nutrition can help you and your community feel your best.
National Nutrition Month
Week 1: Power Your Day With Nutrition
- Choose healthy foods from all food groups.
- Alternate your food choices for a variety of nutrients.
- Avoid fad diets that promote unnecessary restrictions.
Events
WIC Cooking Demo-The Power of Nutrition
- March 6
- Explore healthy and delicious recipes at The Power of Nutrition, a WIC cooking demo class for families. Learn tips for nutritious meals and enjoy hands-on demonstrations of simple, family-friendly dishes. Space is limited. WIC families must call or text 503-588-5057 to register.
- Weekly walks-various locations and times
- Explore your neighborhood with Just Walk Salem Keizer, a volunteer-led network of weekly walking groups in the Salem-Keizer area. Walk, talk, and connect with others while supporting your physical and mental well-being in a welcoming, community-centered environment. Walks are free and open to all. Visit the Just Walk Salem Keizer website for current locations, schedules, and details.
- March 7, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
- Explore Salem's local farmers and makers markets featuring handmade, homemade, and homegrown products from small and local businesses. Come support your community and shop local! Visit the Salem Community Markets website for event details, vendor information, and a full schedule of upcoming markets.
Recipes
Kids Corner
Resources
Week 2: Find Advice Backed by Science
- Find accurate sources for nutrition information.
- Meet with an Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) who specializes in your unique needs.
- Receive personalized nutrition information from an RDN to meet your health goals.
Events
- Weekly walks-various locations and times
- Explore your neighborhood with Just Walk Salem Keizer, a volunteer-led network of weekly walking groups in the Salem-Keizer area. Walk, talk, and connect with others while supporting your physical and mental well-being in a welcoming, community-centered environment. Walks are free and open to all. Visit the Just Walk Salem Keizer website for current locations, schedules, and details.
- March 14, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
- Explore Salem's local farmers and makers markets featuring handmade, homemade, and homegrown products from small and local businesses. Come support your community and shop local! Visit the Salem Community Markets website for event details, vendor information, and a full schedule of upcoming markets.
Recipes
Food Hero English Spanish
WICHealth.org English Spanish
Fruits and Veggies: Have a Plant English
SNAP-Ed English
The WIC Kitchen Videos English
Food Hero Cooking show at Home English Spanish
Easy Cooking with WIC Videos English/Spanish
Kids Corner
Food Hero for Kids English Spanish
Resources
- Learn more about RDNs English
- Connect with a Marion County WIC RDN by calling or texting 503-588-5057
- Find a Nutrition Experts through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics See Directory
Week 3: Stay Nourished On Any Budget
- Learn cooking and meal preparation skills that work with the resources you have.
- Locate community resources such as SNAP, WIC and local food banks.
- Advocate for nutrition policies that serve you, your family and community.
Events
- Weekly walks-various locations and times
- Explore your neighborhood with Just Walk Salem Keizer, a volunteer-led network of weekly walking groups in the Salem-Keizer area. Walk, talk, and connect with others while supporting your physical and mental well-being in a welcoming, community-centered environment. Walks are free and open to all. Visit the Just Walk Salem Keizer website for current locations, schedules, and details.
- March 21, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
- Explore Salem's local farmers and makers markets featuring handmade, homemade, and homegrown products from small and local businesses. Come support your community and shop local! Visit the Salem Community Markets website for event details, vendor information, and a full schedule of upcoming markets.
- March 21, 10:00 am -2 :00 pm
- Celebrate spring and the beautiful cherry blossoms at the Capitol Mall! Cherry Blossom Day honors the blossoming trees and the impact of Japanese culture in Oregon with booths, activities, and performances for the whole family. The event is free and open to the public, with free parking on Saturday. Visit the Cherry Blossom Day website for more details and a full schedule of activities.
Yozakura-Nighttime Viewing of the Cherry Blossoms Website- March 21 -April 4, until 10:00 pm
- Explore the beauty of nighttime cherry blossom viewing during “Yozakura” at the Oregon State Capitol State Park. Hosted by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Japanese lanterns and lights will illuminate the cherry blossoms each evening until 10 p.m. nightly. Guests are welcome to bring a blanket or beach chair and enjoy a picnic while practicing “hanami,” the tradition of blossom viewing.
Recipes
Food Hero English Spanish
WICHealth.org English Spanish
Fruits and Veggies: Have a Plant English
SNAP-Ed English
The WIC Kitchen Videos English
Food Hero Cooking show at Home English SpanishEasy Cooking with WIC Videos English/Spanish
Kids Corner
Resources
Week 4: Feel Good With Healthy Habits
- Reduce the risk of foodborne illness with home food safety.
- Plan in advance to avoid mealtime stress.
- Include physical activity in ways that work for you.
Events
- Weekly walks-various locations and times
- Explore your neighborhood with Just Walk Salem Keizer, a volunteer-led network of weekly walking groups in the Salem-Keizer area. Walk, talk, and connect with others while supporting your physical and mental well-being in a welcoming, community-centered environment. Walks are free and open to all. Visit the Just Walk Salem Keizer website for current locations, schedules, and details.
- March 28, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
- Explore Salem's local farmers and makers markets featuring handmade, homemade, and homegrown products from small and local businesses. Come support your community and shop local! Visit the Salem Community Markets website for event details, vendor information, and a full schedule of upcoming markets.
Yozakura-Nighttime Viewing of the Cherry Blossoms Website- March 21 -April 4, until 10:00 pm
- Explore the beauty of nighttime cherry blossom viewing during “Yozakura” at the Oregon State Capitol State Park. Hosted by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Japanese lanterns and lights will illuminate the cherry blossoms each evening until 10 p.m. nightly. Guests are welcome to bring a blanket or beach chair and enjoy a picnic while practicing “hanami,” the tradition of blossom viewing.
Spring Break Passport to Fun! Website - March 23 - March 27
- Explore downtown Salem with the “Spring Break Passport to Fun,” a week of family-friendly activities during spring break. Oregon State Capitol, State Capitol State Park, Willamette Heritage Center, Hallie Ford Museum of Art, World Beat Gallery, Salem Art Association, Salem Public Library, and Deepwood Museum have teamed up to offer free or discounted activities that make it easy and fun to fill the week off school with learning, art, and adventure. Visit the Spring Break Passport to Fun website for full event details, schedules, and participating venues.
Recipes
Food Hero English Spanish
WICHealth.org English Spanish
Fruits and Veggies: Have a Plant English
SNAP-Ed English
The WIC Kitchen Videos English
Food Hero Cooking show at Home English SpanishEasy Cooking with WIC Videos English/Spanish
Kids Corner
Resources
Email Privacy: While we are happy to answer general questions via email, we suggest you do not transmit personal or health related information in your message. We cannot meet any expectation you might have of confidentiality when you communicate with us over the Internet. If you have a specific personal or health-related issue, please call the appropriate county government office instead.
Email address: health@co.marion.or.us
To report a public health emergency, or make an urgent report of communicable disease, call 503-588-5621 at anytime.
