New and expecting mothers in the Jackson area will soon have a free opportunity to sharpen their skills in the kitchen and at the grocery store. The Washington/Clarke County Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) has teamed up with Friends of Alpha Women’s Resource Center to bring the “Today’s Mom” nutrition education series to the community this fall.
The six-week class is built specifically for moms and moms-to-be, offering practical, hands-on guidance rather than abstract advice. Organizers say the goal is to help participants walk away with real tools they can use every day, from planning a week’s worth of meals on a budget to knowing which shortcuts still keep dinner nutritious on a hectic weeknight.
What the Program Covers
Sessions are designed around the everyday realities of parenting, particularly for mothers juggling work, childcare and household responsibilities with little time to spare. Participants can expect to learn how to prepare simple, nutritious meals that fit a busy lifestyle, along with strategies for making healthier choices even when the day gets away from them. The curriculum emphasizes meal-planning skills and the kind of practical nutrition knowledge that translates directly into grocery-store decisions and family dinners.
The class will be led by Shannon Whigham and will meet weekly on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon, running from Aug. 20 through Sept. 24.
A Companion Fitness Class: MomStrong
Moms who want to make a full morning of it can also sign up for MomStrong, a fitness-focused class offered by Alpha Women’s Resource Center immediately before the nutrition session. MomStrong runs from 10 to 11 a.m. on the same Thursdays, Aug. 20 through Sept. 24, giving participants the option to pair movement and exercise with nutrition education back to back.
No Cost to Attend
Both the Today’s Mom nutrition series and MomStrong are free to attend, removing a common barrier for families who might otherwise skip programs that require registration fees or supply costs. The partnership between EFNEP and Alpha Women’s Resource Center reflects a broader effort in Clarke and Washington counties to connect families with community-based resources that support maternal and family health.
Why Nutrition Education Matters for Local Families
Programs like EFNEP, which operates through the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, have long focused on reaching families in rural communities where access to nutrition counseling or structured cooking classes can be limited. For mothers in and around Jackson, a small city in Clarke County, a free local class held on a predictable weekly schedule can make it far easier to build lasting habits than a one-time workshop or an online resource alone. Organizers hope the series will give participants not just recipes, but the confidence to adapt meals to their own family’s needs and budget long after the six weeks conclude.
How to Get Involved
Both classes will be held at the Alpha Women’s Resource Center in Jackson. Interested moms and moms-to-be are encouraged to sign up ahead of the Aug. 20 start date. For more information or to register, community members can call the Jackson office at (251) 246-7750.