Northern Tier Center for Health awarded a $9,000 grant from Maine Council on Aging through Hannaford Supermarket’s Connection, Health and Equity Through Food (CHEF) program
Older Vermonters in northwestern Vermont will have greater access to nutrition education and social connections NOTCH-facilitated Healthy for Life® Community Nutrition and Well-Being Program activities, which is being partially funded through the CHEF grant.
Richford, VT – Northern Tier Center for Health (NOTCH) is the recipient of a $9,000 grant from Maine Council on Aging (MCOA) through Hannaford Supermarket’s Connection, Health and Equity Through Food (CHEF) program. CHEF was launched in 2023 to improve the health and well-being of diverse older adults through greater access to food and social connection.
Being awarded the CHEF grant will allow NOTCH to bring more older people in our rural communities together to connect, learn, and share around the table,” Said Miranda Henry, NOTCH’s Community Services Manager. “Food is a common denominator and bringing folks together for programs that link good food with good health in a fun, engaging way helps forge connections on many different levels—socially, nutritionally, and beyond.”
The American Heart Association and Aramark’s evidence-based Healthy for Life® Community Nutrition and Well-Being Program, facilitated by NOTCH, will support group socialization and interactive learning experiences focused on reaching older adults in rural Vermont communities. The activities are hand-on group programs that support participants in maximizing their food resources and teach how to prepare nutritious, heart-healthy foods on a budget. Activities will be scheduled at community partner sites across northwestern Vermont including public libraries, community centers, housing sites, and agency partner locations.
CHEF was launched with a $1.3 million donation to Maine Council on Aging from Hannaford on December 12, 2023, under the banner of Hannaford’s “Eat Well, Be Well – A Path to Better Health” initiative. The CHEF program funds organizations and projects in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York, that are supporting the needs of diverse older adults – including improving access to food and increasing opportunities for socialization.
Hannaford introduced Eat Well, Be Well in September 2022 to help break down the barriers that challenge access to healthy, nutritious food and wellness resources. Hannaford has donated nearly $3 million to organizations under the Eat Well, Be Well banner.
To learn more about the overall impact of the CHEF program, view the video.
If you are an organization interested in hosting a Healthy for Life® activity with NOTCH, contact Miranda Henry at mhenry@notchvt.org or call (802) 255-5575.
For more information about Hannaford’s community efforts and charitable giving initiatives, visit Hannaford.com/HannafordHelps.
About Northern Tier Center for Health
Northern Tier Center for Health (NOTCH) is a mission-driven primary care practice with a focus on quality and continuity of care. We are a not-for-profit corporation governed by a community-based Board of Directors whose mission is to provide high-quality care in Northwestern Vermont.
NOTCH’s team of compassionate and devoted healthcare professionals and support staff develop long-term relationships with patients, often serving multi-generational families. The organization offers a full spectrum of healthcare services, including family medicine, internal medicine, behavioral health, pharmacy, lab, and general dentistry, and a social grocery project. To learn more, visit notchvt.org.
About Hannaford Supermarkets
Hannaford Supermarkets operates 189 stores in the Northeast, most with full-service pharmacies. Stores are located in Maine, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. All are committed to offering great fresh food, convenient experiences, and everyday low prices. Hannaford also is an active and committed community partner—focusing on fighting hunger, supporting youth development, and helping people live healthier lives. Hannaford is an industry leader in sustainability with a strong commitment to reducing waste and protecting the environment. Hannaford diverts or donates all food at risk of going to waste—sending no food to landfills. In 2023, Hannaford donated 26 million pounds of food to hunger relief organizations. Hannaford employs nearly 30,000 associates and is based in Scarborough, Maine. Additional information can be found at Hannaford.com.
About Maine Council on Aging
The Maine Council on Aging is a broad, multi-disciplinary network of more than 135 organizations, businesses, municipalities, and older Mainers working to ensure we can all live healthy, engaged, and secure lives as we age in our homes and community settings. For more information, visit MaineCouncilOnAging.org.
