Food as Medicine Program
A comprehensive approach to teaching healthy eating behaviors and increasing access to nutritious foods in our community
Expert Support:
- Registered Dietitians (RD) and Community Health Workers (CHW) provide culturally appropriate guidance and support, offering tailored nutrition plans to meet your individual needs.
- CHWs assist in setting achievable goals and teach the importance of monitoring your health at home.
Educational Resources:
- Interactive workshops, cooking demos, and classes to help you understand nutrition and make informed food choices.
Community Connections:
- Opportunities to connect with local healthcare providers and organizations, creating a supportive network dedicated to your well-being.
Welcome Culinary Community Teaching Kitchen:
- Hands-on cooking classes are designed to teach essential culinary skills and how to harness the healing power of food.
- Learn about the science behind food as medicine and how specific foods can support your health, manage chronic conditions, and maintain overall wellness.
Eligibility:
- Patients referred by their primary care providers or CHWs who are living with unmanaged chronic conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or congestive heart failure.
Community Teaching Kitchen
Welcome to a new chapter on your journey towards better health! Our teaching kitchen programs are designed to empower individuals with the knowledge and resources needed to make positive health changes through nutrition. Whether you're managing conditions such as hypertension, congestive heart failure, or diabetes, or simply seeking to improve your overall well-being, our programs are here to support you every step of the way.
Our program promotes wellness at every level, body, mind, and spirit. It extends beyond teaching cooking skills by bridging the gap between traditional medicine and the use of food as medicine in the prevention, treatment, and management of diseases. Community Health Workers in partnership with professionals provide guidance, advice on culturally appropriate foods, and tailored nutrition plans to
suit individual and family needs. Our approach emphasizes the importance of diet and lifestyle alongside medical treatments for handling chronic diseases.
Our Community Teaching Kitchen Offers:
- Guidance from our experienced Registered Dietitians (RD) and Community Health Workers (CHW) offering culturally appropriate support, and tailored nutrition plans to suit
your individual needs. - Educational Resources: Informative workshops, cooking demos, and classes to help you better understand nutrition and make informed choices.
- Community Connections: Opportunities to connect with local heal care providers and organizations, fostering a supportive network dedicated to your well-being
Partners:
- Trinity Health Of New England Community Health and Well-Being Department
- University of Saint Joseph Department of Nutrition and Public Health
- CVS Health System Alliances
- Keney Park Sustainability Project (KPSP)
- Urban League of Greater Hartford
- UConn School of Pharmacy
Program Duration:
6 months, with one-on-one interventions, educational workshops, and check-ins to measure progress and outcomes.