United Way, Cooperative Extension secure $200K grant to promote ‘healthy educated food systems’

Press Release, United Way of Orleans County

KNOWLESVILLE – United Way of Orleans County and Cornell Cooperative Extension announce the launch of their new project, Orleans Connected Healthy Educated Food Systems (CHEFS).

Inspired by the success of the Stone Soup program, the United Way and CCE worked together to secure a $200,000 grant from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York’s Blue Fund.

The new CHEFS program will offer three classes to accommodate both new and returning participants.

The first class is similar to Stone Soup. Participants will learn how to prepare cost effective meals using the Kitchen Kits that are provided. Once they have completed the course, participants will have the skills and confidence they need to prepare nutritious meals at home. They will also be prepared for the two new CHEFS classes.

The second class covers Food as Medicine. Participants in this program will receive a health tracker and learn about the role of food in managing blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol.

In the third class, which covers practical cooking, participants will receive a lunch kit. Building on the kitchen skills developed in the first class, participants will learn more sophisticated kitchen skills to allow them to do meal prep and cook more complex dishes.

The Orleans CHEFS program will also continue the Fresh Food Rx. This allows Orleans County families to receive prescriptions, along with prepaid vouchers, from their primary care provider for fresh, local produce.

The United Way plans to begin convening a food systems working group after the start of the year to produce a food systems policy.

To find out more or sign up for one of the three classes, call 585-798-4265 or email asc355@cornell.edu.