week 8

Tuesday, May 15:
 WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) representative - Melissa Alfano, MS, RD, LD, came to speak to our class. WIC is a supplemental food and nutrition program that is open to pregnant women, breastfeeding women, infants, children,  and those on medicaid. In order to be eligible, the previously mentioned population must be at or below 185% of the poverty income guideline and have some sort of nutritional risk. Such risks involve anemia, underweight or overweight, pregnancy complications, and inappropriate nutrition practices. WIC is federally funded and the following is available to those who qualify: nutr education, breastfeeding education, and supplemental foods. It is the mission of WIC to improve pregnancy outcomes, decrease infant mortality rate, and to provide infants and children with a healthy start. It is the role of the RD to complete health history forms, complete assessments, create nutrition care plans, and to make referrals.

Thursday, May 17th:
Good Earth Farms - today we went to this farm and we got a tour from David, the person who first created the farm. This particular farm is a non-profit and all produce that is grown is donated to local  food pantries. They have cows, goats, chickens, and a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Money to run the farm is provided through both grants and out of their own pocket.