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Thanks to a grant from the Blair County Health and Welfare Council, Penn State Extension will offer the Dining with Diabetes series of classes without charge to Blair County residents who want to learn how to better manage diabetes. The four weekly classes plus a follow-up will be held at Through Inc., 2879 Everett Road, East Freedom.

The Thursday morning series will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon on March 19 and 26 and April 9 and 16, with the follow-up class on June 11.

“Dining with Diabetes” is a nationally accredited diabetes education program that is geared toward anyone who has type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes, has a family member with type 2 diabetes, or is at risk for developing diabetes. Extension educator Elaine Smith, MS, RD, and PSU graduate student/dietetic intern Lynn Anderson will lead the classes.

Each class will offer information on healthy food and physical activity choices, food demonstrations and tasting, and guidance on important numbers to know for managing diabetes. Participants will receive the Dining with Diabetes cookbook and other program-related materials.

For $16, participants may choose to have their A1C tested at the first and follow-up classes. A1C is a non-fasting blood test obtained by a finger stick. Results show a three-month average blood glucose level.

Seating for the free course is limited to the first 15 registrants from Blair County.

For more information or to register, visit the Penn State Extension website at extension.psu.edu/dining-with-diabetes or call (877) 345-0691.