Theme 1. Population-based primary health care: planning and integration for the community
Presentation Materials (members only)
Presentation Slides: Nutrition Education at your Local Coffee Shop
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
- Understand the barriers preventing connection with marginalized individuals who lack food security.
- Learn how to connect with and equip individuals to use food bank items together with cheap local produce to prepare nutritious meals and snacks.
- Learn how to start from the home setting and work with individuals at their own pace.
- Learn how useful printed materials are for this population.
- Learn how to effectively provide nutrition advice outside a health care setting.
Summary
541 Eatery and Exchange is a for-benefit, not-for-profit business that provides affordable nutritious homemade food in an area of Hamilton where this is not otherwise available. Using volunteers and very few paid staff keeps costs low and encourages community participation. There is a pay it forward system that uses buttons, and the café is full of all kinds of people. It has become a focus for the resilience and strengths in the neighbourhood. Using a grant from the Learning by Giving Foundation – McMaster University, we will describe hiring a Registered Dietitian to work with participants from our community, beginning with home visits to each participant to ensure the program meets their needs. Using existing resources as much as possible she will develop a simple illustrated text that accompanies each of the six sessions per series. Food is available but not always accessible or usable for our neighbors. It is easier to rely on fast food rather than deal with the contents of a food bank box. We will unpack a typical box and make meals from it, adding simple fresh ingredients. We will look at what a store cupboard should contain. We will visit the local farmers market together. This presentation will demonstrate how collaboration with local organizations and businesses enhances access to nutrition advice for hard to reach populations, and offers health care in an unexpected setting.
Presenters
- Michele MacDonald-Werstuck, Registered Dietitian, DFM McMaster University; McMaster FHT; Stonechurch FHC
- Rev. Sue Carr BSc MTS, Executive Director 541 Eatery and Exchange, DFM McMaster University, Stonechurch FHC
- Marika Smit, Registered Dietitian (pending July 2015), 541 Eatery and Exchange
Presentation Materials (Members only)
- Materials will be posted following the 2015 Conference.