November Food Calendar

Click on a Quick Link to find TIPS, RECIPES, and RESOURCES related to the day, week or month. Or simply scroll down the page.

Questions about November Calendar? Email author, Kayla Colgrove, MS, RD, Extension Educator (kayla.colgrovefoo@unl.edu)

National Food Days

National Food Weeks

National Food Months

* Day(s) changes yearly

 

Food Calendar

UNL Extension's Calendar of Food Days, Weeks, and Months is a monthly, web-based food-themed calendar. It provides resources for selected national food-themed days, weeks, and months.

We hope this provides you inspiration for blogs, tweets, programs, and articles.

To receive notification of Calendar of Food Days, Weeks, and Months updates, please subscribe to the Food Calendar Update Mailing List.

~Kayla Colgrove, MS, RD, ACSM-CPT (kayla.colgrovefoo@unl.edu)

▸ For more timely food tips and inspiration, visit my blog, Making HealthieRDecisions.

Other Food Calendar Contributors: Alice Henneman, MS, RD and Lisa Franzen Castle, MS, RD, PhD.

Terms of Use for Photos and Educational Resources developed by UNL Extension. Guidelines may differ for items linked to on other sites. You are welcome to link to our calendar.

Please see our other food and health related newsletters, blogs, and social media resources.

 

DAY
Deviled Egg Day (November 2)
deviled egg


Try our recipe for making quick & easy deviled eggs.

Follow these directions from the American Egg Board for making the perfect hard-cooked (hard-boiled) egg. 

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Sandwich Day (November 3)  sandwich


Make a sandwich a meal with this Garden Sandwich recipe. If you are into making a lot of sandwiches today, learn about  Freezing Sandwiches and what ingredients will freeze and which one won't!

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Cook Something Bold and Pungent Day (November 9)
 

Mexican Skillet RiceThe bold flavors of chili powder, cumin and green chiles enhance this simple-to-make and good-for-you Mexican Skillet Rice or try this Super Quick Beans and Rice recipe.

(Image courtesy of USA Rice Federation)

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Spicy Guacamole Day (November 14) guacamole


Try Guacamole on the Go for a quick, basic guac recipe. Tastes great and you don't need to purchase lime or cilantro to make it.

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World Diabetes Day (November 14)
diabetes


Learn more about how you can help wipe out diabetes locally and globally at the International Diabetes Federation website.  Check out a variety of diabetes-friendly recipes from the American Diabetes Association.

Check out our series of Control Diabetes for Life videos and handouts.

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Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day (November 15)

refrigeratorAbout 40 percent of the United States food supply (1,500 calories/ person/day) goes uneaten. Discarded food in homes and foodservice accounts for 60 percent of this total food loss and is mostly avoidable. Check out these 14 ways to help reduce food waste and save money.

Keep or toss that item in your refrigerator? Learn the answer by checking our food storage chart.

Give new life to still edible leftovers with these delicious recipe ideas.

Here's how to use a refrigerator and a freezer thermometer to keep your food at best quality.

See if you can answer the question correctly on this "Keep or Toss" Quiz.

Recipes to Help Clean Out Your Refrigerator:

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Homemade Bread (November 17) homemade bread


Few things are better than warm bread fresh from your oven. Learn from Extension Specialist Dr. Georgia Jones about her experience, tips, and recipe recommendation regarding making 100% Whole Wheat Bread.

For additional bread recipes, check the Wheat Foods Council website and the Home Baking Association.

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Take a Hike Day (November 17)

Fall hike 
"Of all exercises walking is the best." ~Thomas Jefferson (3rd President of the United States)

It's a beautiful time of the year to get outdoors and experience the fall colors! Find tips for getting active at all ages on our Physical Activity pages.

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Eat a Cranberry Day (November 23)cranberry

A staple on any Thanksgiving Holiday spread, cranberries have a taste all their own and are packed with nutrients that offer a variety of nutrition benefits. Add dried cranberries to your favorite trail mix or add some color to a family favorite, apple crisp. Learn how to select, store, and use cranberries from the UNL Extension's Nutrition Education Program or other ways to enjoy cranberries. Try this Chunky Cranberry Spread from UNL Extension or one of the top 10 ways to enjoy cranberries.

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Thanksgiving (November 22, 2018) *Thanksgiving


Thanksgiving Turkey Tips & More!  Includes tips on cooking a turkey the day before, traveling with holiday foods, recipes, how to prepare gravy, when to start thawing a turkey, cooking meats other than turkey, safety tips if you want to fry a turkey and MUCH MORE.

Check these useful resources:

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National Parfait Day (November 25)


yogurt and fruit parfaitMake a parfait suitable for serving as a light meal by layering yogurt, fruit, nuts, and/or granola. Try this simple Yogurt Parfait recipe.

It makes a great quick meal when all you feel like fixing is a bowl of cereal.

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Throw Out Your Leftovers Day (November 29)
4day


Learn more about leftover safety and how to protect yourself from bad leftovers with the following resources:

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Week
National Fig Week (1st week) fig


Although figs are considered fruit, they are actually flowers inverted into themselves. Check out the California Fig Advisory Board for more fun fig facts, tips and recipes. Figs are a good source of fiber and you can eat fresh figs or dried figs.

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Split Pea Soup Week (2nd week) split pea


Celebrated the second week in November. Dried split peas provide folate, fiber, iron, and protein, as well as being low in fat. Unlike cooking other legumes, it's not necessary to soak them before cooking with them. It's easy to make a hot and hearty meal in a hurry. For more information on split / dry peas, check the USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council's website.

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Month
American Diabetes Month  injecting insulin
 

One of out 4 people do not know they have diabetes according to CDC. American Diabetes Month helps bring attention to diabetes and its impact on millions of Americans. Check out these resources to help prevent, delay, or manage diabetes:

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National Peanut Butter Lovers Month peanut butter sandwich
 
  • Peanut butter is the leading use for peanuts in the United States
  • One 12-ounce jar of peanut butter contains approximately 540 peanuts

Find peanut butter recipes at:

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Sweet Potato Awareness Month sweet potatoes
 
  • Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of beta carotene (vitamin A), which plays several roles in good health, including functioning as an antioxidant.
  • Sweet potatoes can be enjoyed baked, smashed, boiled or grilled. 

Add sweet potatoes to your breakfast menu with this quick and delicious frittata and more recipes from the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission.

Try this recipe, Orange & Sweet Potato Pork Chops, which is a great source of protein and vitamin A.

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