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Pick a Better Snack with Feeding South Florida

A Nutrition Based Educational Workshop

Join us for a fun educational workshop series based on healthy nutrition. We are meeting on the 3rd Friday of each month.

At Feeding South Florida, our mission is to end hunger in our region by providing access to nutritious food, advocating for solutions, and transforming lives through innovative programs. Our nutrition education initiative offers interactive classes with practical nutrition topics.

Nutrition Educator:

Maria Leyton – Nutrition Educator and Researcher

Maria Leyton is a dedicated public health professional committed to promoting health through nutrition education and behavior change. Growing up in Venezuela, she witnessed firsthand how food insecurity and inadequate healthcare systems impacted entire communities. These early experiences fueled her lifelong passion for using nutrition as a tool for prevention, empowerment, and lasting change.

After moving to the U.S., Maria earned her A.A. at Miami Dade College and her B.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition from Florida International University. She stood out as a student leader and advocate, serving as a Social Media Communicator for the Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, earning an Outstanding Volunteer award for her work on MDC’s Food Pantry Project, and volunteering with the Women’s Breast & Heart Initiative, Baptist Hospital and Miami Cancer Institute. She was also a proud member of the Student Dietetic Association, the American Society for Nutrition, and the Tau Sigma Honor Society.

Maria gained valuable research experience as a Research Assistant with Project GENES at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and with University of Miami Health System:  Healthy Caregivers, Healthy Children initiative. Today, she serves as a Nutrition Educator for Feeding South Florida, where she delivers community-based nutrition education programs aimed at improving health outcomes among underserved populations.

Currently pursuing her Master of Public Health in Health Education and Behavior at the University of Florida, Maria plays an active role in leading nutrition workshops, cooking demonstrations, and health promotion events throughout South Florida. Through culturally responsive education and community engagement, she helps individuals and families make informed food choices and adopt healthier lifestyles. Her work supports Feeding South Florida’s mission to end hunger and improve community well-being through education, access, and empowerment.

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