NEWS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 14, 2023
CONTACT:
Jill Jesso-White
jjwhite@chcrr.org
(802) 855-5393
Rutland– Vitamin is vital however it’s one thing that may be forgotten and brought as a right. “Folks can get on an excellent monitor, get wholesome, then develop into overwhelmed,” stated Neighborhood Well being Dietician Maria Durkee, MS, RDN, CD. Nationwide Vitamin Month brings focus again to vitamin.
“It’s an entire month to have a good time vitamin and it’s useful for remembering to make wholesome decisions,” she stated. “It’s additionally about recognizing vitamin world wide. It’s about cultures and consuming patterns.”
“Gasoline for the Future” is the theme of Nationwide Vitamin Month 2023, a reminder to be resourceful and take note of the surroundings, scale back meals waste, study to eat on a price range and feed your neighborhood. “Consuming what’s in season is cheaper and helps to maintain native growers and companies,” Durkee stated.
In Vermont, the farming communities present domestically grown produce and agricultural merchandise which can be consumed by native households and utilized by neighborhood eating places as a part of the meals insecurity and teaching programs sponsored by the Vermont Farmer’s Meals Middle (VFFC).
VFFC Program Director Emma Hileman stated, throughout this Nationwide Vitamin Month, her group is launching Unfold the Love, a program that can handle the lapse of covid-funded advantages for his or her free meal program Everybody Eats. Rutland County Eats Neighborhood Meal Program was created to proceed offering ready meals to homebound people. Neighborhood Well being will assist them establish these in want.
VFFC may also provoke yr 9 of the Farmacy Undertaking which has provided free Vermont raised vegatables and fruits to in danger people in coordination with Neighborhood Well being. Neighborhood Well being sufferers are referred to this system and the meals is distributed at Neighborhood Well being places all through the summer time months.
“We’ve Farmacy program right here in Rutland, and there are 4 different related produce-prescription packages across the state,” HIleman stated. There have been 225 individuals final yr in Rutland County, and this yr VFFC is planning for 250 shares, a majority of which will likely be distributed to Neighborhood Well being sufferers. “We’ll be doing household as an alternative of simply particular person shares this yr,” Hileman stated. “We all know a household of 4 wants extra greens.”
At Neighborhood Well being, Durkee is within the means of designing and implementing vitamin packages for adults and finally for kids. She’ll be a useful resource for Neighborhood Well being’s diabetes schooling program and can work carefully with main care suppliers and care managers.
“I’ve informed sufferers, I’ll work with you and create a plan that’s sustainable for you. No fad diets, simply what’s manageable,” she stated, “and I can assist you navigate by that course of and supply schooling alongside the way in which.”
Durkee stated one in all her objectives is to assist people have a wholesome relationship with meals on the whole by figuring out set off and luxury meals and serving to sufferers uncover what meals will be added to make a more healthy meal or snack selection. Incorporating wholesome meals and having portion management at meals and snacks will be key to having a balanced nutritious diet and relationship with meals.
Organizers of Nationwide Vitamin Month have created enjoyable actions like this crossword puzzle and phrase search to assist introduce the names of wholesome meals and components for cooking so individuals can develop into extra accustomed to wholesome options together with nuts, berries, beans, grains and root greens.
“I really like that they’ve so many sources,” Durkee stated. “Deal with what’s in season and take into consideration the rising season developing. Possibly seize a packet of seeds and take a look at a small backyard at residence.”
“Throughout my undergraduate and graduate college research, my professors taught us to strive to not label meals pretty much as good meals and unhealthy meals,” Durkee stated, “I can assist individuals develop an understanding of meals and vitamin by schooling and by influencing a wholesome relationship with meals on the whole by encouraging meals which can be nutrient dense and acceptable for people primarily based on their wants.”
Neighborhood Well being is Vermont’s largest FQHC (Federally Certified Well being Middle), a community of main care, pediatric, behavioral well being, dental and pharmacy providers with workplaces in Rutland, Brandon, Castleton, West Pawlet and Shoreham. Neighborhood Dental workplaces are situated in Rutland and Shoreham; Neighborhood Youngsters Dental and Neighborhood Well being Pediatrics are in Rutland; and Behavioral Well being providers can be found in any respect of our places. Neighborhood Well being Categorical Care facilities, open 7 days per week, are situated on the Rutland and Castleton Neighborhood Well being Facilities.
All Neighborhood Well being places are open and accepting sufferers. Extra details about profession alternatives, hours and Neighborhood Well being places are on our web site.
Study extra about Neighborhood Well being at http://www.chcrr.org or name 802-779-9169 or toll free at 888-989-8707.