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Come learn about your health and access to healthy foods in your community through an info session from Gather New Haven.
ABOUT THE FARM-BASED WELLNESS PROGRAM
The Farm-Based Wellness Program demonstrates how participation in growing food, cooking and nutrition education, and behavior change interventions positively impact the health, social capital, and food security of individuals diagnosed with or at risk for diet-related health conditions.
The program is a partnership between Gather New Haven and health centers in New Haven that care for the city’s most medically underserved community members, including: Fair Haven Community Health Center, HAVEN Free Clinic, and Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center. These health centers deliver a full spectrum of medical services to over 50,000 New Haven residents, the majority of whom face diet-related, chronic disease risks and economic hardship.
Healthcare providers from these institutions refer low-income, adult patients with diet-related, chronic disease risk factors to the Farm-Based Wellness Program. During the summer growing season, these referred patients and their families come weekly to a 2-hour program session including cooking demonstrations, nutrition classes, and gardening lessons.
Each week, participants take home shares of fresh vegetables and fruits grown on Gather New Haven farm sites along with culturally relevant recipes that build upon a foundation of knowledge for improving their health. Children of participants are invited to attend a simultaneous Youth Farm-Based Wellness activities, where they participate in gardening, cooking, environmental, and nutrition education designed specifically for them.
The intensive program runs during the summer for a total of 16 weeks on Tuesday and Thursday evenings behind our Ferry Street farm (220 English St., New Haven, CT 06513). Tuesday sessions are conducted in Spanish and Thursdays from 5:30pm-7:30pm are offered in English as an effort to create broader, more equitable access to the program. A Monday and Wednesday group physical activity class is offered bilingually during the summer for participants who wish to engage in physical activities led by a NASM certified physical trainer from 5:30pm -6:30pm.
After the intensive summer program, a monthly meeting is offered throughout the off-months, to keep participants encouraged and engaged with a community of support.
AGE GROUP: | Adults (18+) |
EVENT TYPE: | Health and Wellness | Education and Lifelong Learning |
The Courtland S. Wilson Library opened in 2006. With the largest footprint among the NHFPL branches, Wilson is a beacon of opportunity and life-long learning in the Hill neighboorhood. Wilson supports literacy with monthly bulk book delivery to school teachers. A youth Lego club, and a newly formed tween and teen computer group meet weekly; and launching in 2019, a youth Girls Who Code Club. Many community groups convene in Wilson’s seven meeting rooms. The Computer Lab hosts groups and offers computer instruction including digital literacy classes in Spanish and weekly free tax preparation during tax season.
2019 Recipient of National Medal for