Healthy Acadia

Food and nutrition this area of programming, funded by private foundation, state and federal grants, includes initiatives to ensure that all people have access to nutritious, affordable food, and to make the healthy choice the easy choice. Program activities include linking growers with food security organizations through a comprehensive gleaning initiative; supporting food system and nutrition curriculum integration through gardens, greenhouses and community food literacy; and partnering with rural general stores, hospitals, and other food providers to increase the accessibility of healthy food options throughout hancock and washington counties, maine. These programs address hunger and promote food security and nutrition education. Populations of focus include seniors, youth from 0-18 years of age, parents, those experiencing low-income, and those eligible for supplemental nutrition assistance through the supplemental nutrition assistance education program. These activities are coordinated by staff with training and education in community health.

Health promotion and management this area of programming, funded by private foundation, state and federal grants, includes initiatives to improve community supports across a wide range of health needs including cancer patient navigation, stress reduction, diabetes prevention programming, chronic disease and pain self- management and to barrier removal for an assortment of health challenges. Programing focuses on disease prevention, management, and access to treatment, including for those at-risk of, or suffering from, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis, stroke, heart disease, and more. Activities include the dissemination of educational materials; hosting educational classes, training and professional development for health providers, educators and students, business owners and employees, strengthening linkages between primary care providers, health systems, community based organizations and health resources. These activities are coordinated by staff with training and education in community health. This work covers the geographic area of hancock and washington counties, me.