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Title: Oregon Nutrition Council Records, 1924-1988

Predominant Dates: 1934-1980

ID: MSS ONC

Primary Creator: Oregon Nutrition Council

Extent: 0.35 cubic feet. More info below.

Languages of Materials: English [eng]

The Oregon Nutrition Council Records document the establishment, governance, and activities of the Council. The Oregon Nutrition Council was established in 1924 to coordinate efforts of multiple organizations and health agencies in Oregon active in nutrition and health education. Oregon Agricultural College was a charter member institution.

The Oregon Nutrition Council Records document the establishment, governance, and activities of the Council. The records include annual reports, bylaws, constitutions, correspondence, flyers, histories of the organization, meeting minutes, membership lists, newsletters, publications, and treasurer's statements. The records document regular meetings and conferences sponsored by the Oregon Nutrition Council as well as studies and legislative activities of the Council. Newsletters issued in 1972-1988 comprise a large part of the collection. Of special note is History and Proceedings of the Oregon State Nutrition Council, which consists of two parts, the first for 1924-1934 and the second for 1934-1946. This volume provides detailed information on the origins and purpose of the organization; members and officers; and programs and activities during the first 20 years of the organization. The materials in this collection appear to have been assembled by individuals at Oregon State University who were involved in the organization.

The Oregon Nutrition Council was established in 1924 to coordinate efforts of multiple organizations and health agencies in Oregon active in nutrition and health education. Charter member institutions included Oregon Agricultural College, Oregon State Board of Health, Oregon Parent Teacher's Association, Portland Public Schools, University of Oregon, and Oregon Tuberculosis Association. Members of the Council exchanged information and ideas through regular meetings and participated in annual joint projects. The organization was especially active during World War II and the years immediately following. The Council was dormant from 1954 to 1969, when it was revived in response to state and national concerns about inaccurate nutrition information reaching the public. During the 1970s and 1980s, the Oregon Nutrition Council sponsored biennial statewide meetings; published a quarterly newsletter; produced exhibits and bibliographies of recommended nutritional information; and provided nutrition information to the press and the legislature. The Oregon Nutrition Council was deactivated at the end of 1988.

The organization was led by health and nutrition professionals; several Oregon State faculty were actively involved with the Council including Jessamine Williams, who served as the first President; Margaret Fincke, President in 1938-1939; Georgene Barte; and Jessie McComb.

More Extent Information: 1 box

Statement on Access: Collection is open for research.

Acquisition Note: These materials were donated to the Special Collections & Archives Research Center by Zoe Ann Holmes in 2013.

Related Materials: The History of Oregon State University Oral Histories and Sound Recordings (OH 003) include an interview with Jessamine Williams, in which she describes the origins of the Oregon Nutrition Council. The College of Home Economics and Education Records (RG 141) include materials pertaining to nutrition research, instruction, and extension programs at Oregon State. The Special Collections and Archives Research Center's holdings also include records of the Nutrition and Food Management Department Records (RG 217) and the Nutrition Research Institute Records (RG 224).

Preferred Citation: Oregon Nutrition Council Records (MSS ONC), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Oregon Nutrition Council
Fincke, Margaret Louise (1900-)

Nutrition--Oregon.
Nutrition extension work--Oregon.
Nutrition policy--Oregon.
Oregon Nutrition Council
University History