Rebecca Perkins
July 29, 2016
As part of our program to encourage healthy eating and active lifestyles in Bridgewater, Green Brook, and North Plainfield, Healthier Somerset is planning the first of the nutrition seminars that are a key focus of our NJHCN grant activities.
NJ SNAP Ed will plan and implement the seminars. The brief mini-lessons include tips on increasing fresh fruit and vegetable access. Other topics cover the importance of reducing sugary drinks in our daily diets. An informative display is set up at the site, and clientele are engaged in the lesson through hands-on participation.
The North Plainfield seminars will be offered in two locations: the offices of the North Plainfield Board of Social Services and the North Plainfield Saint Vincent DePaul Food Pantry.
Preparation for the seminars included establishing contacts and gaining interest from the sites. Since our grant requires that we provide nutrition education to low income audiences, the sites needed to sign a MOU confirming that more than 50% of their clientele are at or below 185% of the poverty guideline.
Plans are also underway to offer vouchers to attendees for use with selected vendors in nearby farmers markets.