assistant professor of public health audra gollenberg , ph . d .
Nutrition and Community Health
For expectant mothers , learning how to select and cook healthy foods can be a first step in nurturing a child and cultivating that child ’ s positive relationship with food . The practice of buying locally grown food and developing healthy cooking skills enables individuals and families to actively contribute to the economic well-being of a community as well as make healthy food choices . For Shenandoah students , addressing individual and community health issues like childhood obesity and poor nutrition among low-income families provides valuable opportunities to work with diverse populations as caring and proactive citizens .
Assistant Professor of Public Health Audra Gollenberg , Ph . D ., used a faculty grant she received this spring to examine a disparity in public health — that individuals with lower education and income levels were less likely to buy fresh , local food , even in a primarily agricultural community like Winchester . According to Dr . Gollenberg , Virginia is one of only two states that do not offer a farmers ’ market nutrition service as part of an overall Women , Infant and Children ( WIC ) program . With support from the grant , Gollenberg and her public health students collaborated with Virginia ’ s WIC program to manage a national farmers ’ market pilot incentive program at the Freight Station Farm Market in downtown Winchester .
“ Transportation can be an issue for many low-income families , so they may not have access to or be aware of the farm markets that exist in our community ,” said Gollenberg . “ The Freight Station Farm Market is within walking distance of the WIC office , so that ’ s one obstacle we ’ ve eliminated .”
“ Public health
students planned and conducted two healthy cooking demonstrations … selecting recipes that highlighted the benefits and use of local , in-season produce …”
assistant professor of public health audra gollenberg , ph . d .
As part of the program , participants agreed to complete a questionnaire about their shopping habits in exchange for a subsidy . Participants who completed a follow-up questionnaire after three months received an additional $ 10 farm market voucher . Gollenberg ’ s students designed the vouchers with a section that enabled the farm market manager to include notes about participants ’ purchases , whether or not participants asked questions about available produce , and whether they expressed interest in learning more about farm market offerings .
Public health students planned and conducted two healthy cooking demonstrations at the WIC office in April , selecting recipes that highlighted the benefits and use of local , in-season produce and included facts about the nutritional benefits of each ingredient in their presentations , along with tips for preparing and cooking the produce .
“ We wanted to show these women that preparing healthy meals with fresh , local produce doesn ’ t have to be complicated or timeconsuming ,” said Gollenberg . “ We had the opportunity to work with expectant mothers and families and show them that fresh , healthy , affordable foods are available in their neighborhood .”
Celebrating Service Through Partnership With Community Day
For the past three years , Shenandoah has celebrated its dedication to service through Partnership With Community Day . Held in early April , the campuswide event brings together students , faculty and staff in partnership with local nonprofit organizations to perform service projects all around the Winchester community .
Approximately 900 students joined faculty and staff members to work on nearly 70 service projects in the Winchester community , including working with English as a second language ( ESL ) students in Frederick County Public Schools ; packing lunches at Shenandoah Area Agency for Aging ; presenting music and dance projects at the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Shenandoah Valley ; cleaning and painting at the Salvation Army of Winchester ; and picking up debris for the Winchester Parks & Recreation ’ s “ clean sweep .” During Partnership With Community Day , Shenandoah volunteers gave their time , talents and sweat to community organizations such as Blue Ridge Hospice , Highland Avenue Food Pantry , SPCA , Loudoun Area Agency on Aging , Shenandoah Valley Westminster Canterbury , Leesburg Senior Center , The Laurel Center , Winchester Day Nursery , Habitat for Humanity , Compassionate Pharmacy , Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum , Winchester Little Theater , Hilltop House Assisted Living , NW Works , American Red Cross , Winchester Public Schools and Clean Inc .
The one-day event provided opportunities for Shenandoah students , faculty and staff to experience the fulfillment of serving others and reaffirm the university ’ s commitment to making a positive difference in its community .
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