BUILDING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE THROUGH NUTRITION EDUCATION.

THE BIRTH AND EVOLUTION OF TCAH’S NUTRITION EDUCATION CLASSES

TCAH’s Eat Well Live Well Program for health-challenged NYC seniors began in 2009 to address the co-morbidity of low-income Black and brown older adults. Many seniors were coming to TCAH who were diabetic, hypertensive, and obese. We had to do something, so we sprang into action, offering classes to improve their health, increase life expectancy, and lower the healthcare costs of the 36 men and women participating in the program.

During the 12-week program, we worked with the seniors to lower their blood pressure, reduce weight and tobacco use, improve their moods, and increase their physical strength, endurance, balance, and agility. Participants underwent regular health monitoring and attended classroom and field educational presentations on healthy living, including good cooking practices, a nutritious diet, physical exercise, and gardening.

TCAH’s Eat Well Live Well program laid the foundation for our Community Health Initiative Programs (CHIP), which, before the pandemic, offered over 500 intergenerational nutrition education workshops and demos yearly to inspire and teach communities how to make healthy lifestyle choices. TCAH is proud that we offer culinary arts training to disadvantaged youths today through our Beach Eats and Arts Café in Far Rockaway!