Through nutrition classes and cooking demos, older adults in Sharonville learn practical ways to support their health and wellness while making the most of the fresh produce included in their congregate and home-delivered meals. It represents a continuing partnership with Meals on Wheels and the Sharonville Community Center.
Last June, Meals on Wheels launched a new initiative for older adults enrolled in our services in Sharonville. Through nutrition classes and cooking demos, participants learn practical ways to support their health and wellness while making the most of the fresh produce included in their congregate and home-delivered meals.
The program is a collaboration of our Social Connections Programs (which includes health and wellness programming) and Congregate Meal Services (group meals served in community settings for older adults).
Breanna Williams, who oversees Social Connection Programs, says, “The classes and demos allow seniors to try something new and to be creative. It’s an ideal way to combine wellness, social engagement and learning.”
Lisa Andrews is the instructor for these classes. She is a Cincinnati-based registered dietician, educator, author and founder of Sound Bites Nutrition. When she was invited by Meals on Wheels to facilitate the series, she was given a few requirements: recipes should feature the same produce participants receive, use simple and nutritious ingredients and be easy to recreate at home.
Lisa says she enjoyed the challenge of meeting the requirements. “I tend to keep my recipes short and include easy-to-find, affordable ingredients. I also consider allergens and food safety. I leave cheese and nuts on the side in case participants don't eat these, but they usually do!”
With the cooking demos, Lisa describes every step of the meal from using the right tools the recipe calls for to extending the food’s shelf-life to reducing food waste.
“Lisa is very enthusiastic and helpful, and it makes the seniors excited to to try something different. They ask for all sorts of cooking advice and recommendations from her,” says Meals on Wheels Senior Manager of Congregate and Nutrition Sites Pam Mawhinney.
For this series, Lisa has created recipes such as kale salad with orange dressing, smoky sweet potato and black bean stew, Mexican potato salad and mojito fruit salad.
Says Lisa, “This is one of my favorite class series to teach! The group is very engaged and asks lots of questions.”
The fresh food and nutrition class initiative is made possible by Ford Philanthropy. It represents a continuing partnership with Meals on Wheels and the Sharonville Community Center.