Ocala, Fla. — So much of what many of us eat nowadays is either fast or processed food, often lacking in flavor, originality, and healthy benefits but possessing high amounts of unnecessary and even harmful sodium, sugar, and fat.

The Florida Department of Health in Marion County (DOH-Marion), the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Marion County Public Library system want to show you how to boot the bland and boring from your meals by adding literal spice to your diet, as well as some worthwhile nutrition.

DOH-Marion and UF/IFAS are hosting a class — called “Spice Things Up” — to teach participants how to invigorate their cooking with herbs, spices, and seasonings that also help limit the consumption of salt, sugar and fat.

The class is free.

Participants will be introduced to various types of seasonings and provided recipes on how to incorporate them for more flavorful meals.

The presentation also will include tips on interpreting and understanding food labels.

Moreover, a member of the UF/IFAS Master Gardener program will offer advice for growing herbs and spices at home and demonstrate how to preserve them.

The class is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 23, at the Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE County Road 484, Belleview.

For more information or to register, please call 352-438-2500.

About the Florida Department of Health

The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.