STATE — In the first of two micro-grant cycles, the Maine Council on Aging (MCOA) has awarded nearly $376,000 through Hannaford Supermarkets’ Connection, Health and Equity Through Food (CHEF) program across five states.
Thirty-two organizations in Maine, from Berwick to Eagle Lake and Porter to Stonington, received grants in this cycle to improve the health and well-being of older adults statewide. The final micro-grant cycle is now open, and applications are being accepted online until June 30 at www.agefriendly.community.
“The response to the first CHEF grant cycle was impressive and demonstrates the significant challenges older people are facing accessing food and staying connected, particularly older people who have experienced economic disparities,” said MCOA Executive Director Jess Maurer. “We wish we could have funded every application we received, but stayed focused on funding programs and activities that will have a lasting impact on people and communities. We estimate nearly 236,000 people will benefit from the grants awarded in this cycle and encourage organizations to apply in this next cycle so we can expand that reach,” added Maurer.
“At Hannaford, we’re focused on making thoughtful investments that ensure all members of our communities, including older adults, are healthy and thriving,” said Sherri Stevens, community relations manager for Hannaford Supermarkets.
“Community connection is imperative for our health and well-being as we grow older and face the challenges that come with aging. The organizations receiving funding through this first round of grants play a major role in connecting older adults with fresh, nutritious food and socialization opportunities that support mental health. We encourage other organizations to take advantage of this opportunity to support programs that put older adults at their center.”
Grant recipients are supporting the nutritional and social needs of older adults in a myriad of ways, including these awardees:
Alan Day Community Garden (ADCG) in Norway works in partnership with the MaineHealth Food Pantry, Oxford County Wellness Collaborative, The Progress Center, Senior Farmshare Program, and Somali Bantu Community Association to provide opportunities for community members to build relationships, learn, and grow food together.
ADCG is using the grant funds to implement a Community Meals pilot program, specifically designed to create a social network for older adults living in rural communities around food, cooking, learning, and sharing meals together.
“We are so pleased to hear that our application has been accepted in our efforts to support and work with the aging people in our community,” said Alan Day Community Garden Executive Director Rocky Crocket. “On behalf of our organization and our community, thank you!”
Read the complete list of CHEF grant recipients.
CHEF was launched with a $1.3 million donation to MCOA 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 through micro-grants in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York, supporting the needs of diverse older adults – including improving access to food and increasing opportunities for socialization.
In addition to the grants, CHEF publishes a monthly newsletter and offers a series of free webinars through MCOA’s Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging. For more information about CHEF programming or to sign up for the newsletter visit www.agefriendly.community/chef/.
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 at https://www.agefriendly.community/chef/.
For more information about Hannaford’s community efforts and charitable giving initiatives, visit Hannaford.com/HannafordHelps.
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