From Lori Brockman, Communications Officer, phone number (503) 655-8752

Seniors in Clackamas County are eating better these days thanks to a $20,000 Kaiser Permanente Special Initiatives grant in support of the Good for YOU! Project. The project, which focuses on healthy eating in hard times, supplements meals offered through congregate meal sites operated at senior centers, as well as home delivery meals for homebound seniors.

Good for YOU! benefits Social Services of Clackamas County by providing funding for fresh produce to senior centers located throughout Clackamas County. The goal of the grant is to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables in the daily diets of seniors.

Consuming fresh fruits and vegetables each day is an essential component in the maintenance of one’s health. Consuming locally grown produce offers several benefits:

      •  Locally grown produce can be harvested when ripe. Produce picked at the peak of ripeness contains more nutrients than produced picked prematurely and shipped long distances

      •  Reduced consumption of fossil fuels, as shipping distance is shorter

      •  Supports our local farmers and bolsters he local economy

“It just makes sense for Clackamas county to partner with local farmers in providing nutritious food,” said Kathy Wiseman, Manager of the Pioneer Community Center in Oregon City. “Our seniors have been enjoying the addition of fresh asparagus, seasonal berries, salad items and more to the meals we regularly provide.”

******

The Clackamas County Health, Housing and Human Services department promotes and assists individuals, families and communities to be healthy, safe, and thrive. H3S provides a broad spectrum of services for low income and vulnerable residents and addresses public health issues for the entire county. To learn more, please visit our web site at http://www.clackamas.us/dhs  

For more information, media may call Lori Brockman at (503) 655-8752 (office) or 503-307-7545 (cell).