Jessica Meuleners

Jessica Meuleners is a registered dietitian and SDSU Extension Nutrition Field Specialist, based in Sioux Falls. She brings extensive experience in community nutrition education, working closely with individuals, families, and organizations to promote lifelong healthy eating habits. Jessica specializes in developing and delivering evidence-based curricula focused on nurition and physical activity, tailored to meet the needs of diverse populations.

In addition to her work in nutrition education, Jessica provides expert guidance on home food preservation, helping people gain confidence in safely preserving food through canning, freezing, dehydrating, and fermenting. Her programs empower South Dakotans to improve food security, reduce waste, and make the most of seasonal produce.

Areas of Expertise

• Food preservation
  • Canning
  • Freezing
  • Dehydrating
  • Jams and Jellies
  • Pickling
  • Fermenting
• Nutrition education
• Food security
• Healthy eating
• Maternal and child health

Programs and Services

• Double Up Dakota Bucks
• Master Food Preserver Volunteer Program
• Home Food Preservation Self-Study Course
• Pick it, Try it, Like it for Food Preservation
• SDSU Extension Healthy Families and Communities programs (SNAP-Ed and EFNEP)

Benefits to South Dakota Residents

As an SDSU Extension Nutrition Field Specialist, Jessica empowers individuals, families, and communities across South Dakota to make informed, healthy choices through evidence-based nutrition education and food preservation training. Her work enhances food security, supports maternal and child health, and builds community resilience by increasing access to nutritious foods and teaching lifelong skills in nutrition, safe food handling and preservation. Through programs like Double Up Dakota Bucks, the Master Food Preserver Volunteer Program, and SNAP-Ed/EFNEP, Jessica helps create sustainable, health-promoting environments that