Month: March 2015

Nourish 2015 was a success and a great way to celebrate National Nutrition Month®! Our Nourish event welcomed healthcare thought leaders from across the region to attend a series of networking sessions on March 11th and 12th to discuss MANNA’s “food is medicine” model and develop partnership opportunities. Thanks to the policy makers and funders, elected officials and candidates, researchers and academics, medical and insurance providers and others invested in the health of our community for participating. The event concluded with a cocktail reception where we honored Health Partners Plans with the 2015 Nourish Award. The award recognized them for their commitment to our neighbors in need and for joining us on this road towards reimbursement, sustainability and growth.

Health Partners Plans (HPP) is a local, non-profit health maintenance organization serving more than 190,000 members in the Greater Philadelphia region, and they have signed a contract that will enable us to provide medically-appropriate meals and nutrition counseling to select Health Partners Plans Medicaid members in Philadelphia. Each month we proudly serve 750 clients battling life-threatening illnesses in the Greater Philadelphia area and Southern New Jersey. The partnership enables us to expand and serve 200 additional clients in need of nourishment. Health Partners Plans is the first health insurer to offer its members this valuable service through MANNA. Together, MANNA and Health Partners Plans will increase access to quality care and nutrition!

“One of the qualities that makes Health Partners Plans unique is our eagerness to partner with organizations that share in our commitment to caring for underserved populations,” said William S. George, president & CEO. “Therefore, we jumped at the chance to partner with an organization who for decades, like HPP, has been a force of positive change in the Greater Philadelphia community.”

“I am so excited for our partnership with Health Partners Plans,” shares Susan Daugherty, CEO of MANNA. “I truly believe this is the start to changing the health care model and that someday everyone will have access to proper nutrition.”

The future of MANNA is VERY exciting. Happy National Nutrition Month® everyone!

A special thanks to our National Nutrition Month® sponsor:

March is National Nutrition Month® and we are excited to share that this year’s theme is “Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle.”  The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is promoting daily exercise and encouraging everyone to make healthier, lower calorie food choices. The combination of a balanced, consistent diet and exercise plan will help you maintain or achieve a healthy weight. Attaining a healthy weight helps to reduce the risk of many chronic diseases including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics promotes eating a variety of nutritious foods ranging from fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and low fat dairy.  It is not about drastically limiting yourself, but rather eating food in moderation.  Keep track of your portion sizes and use MyPlate as a tool to for a healthy meal. MyPlate encourages that you fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables. MyPlate also emphasizes choosing whole grains, lean protein sources and low fat dairy products. Whole grains contain more nutrients than refined grains because they contain 3 layers called the bran, germ, and endosperm. Refined grains only contain the endosperm, thereby providing fewer nutrients. Lean protein choices include: lean cuts of meat, poultry, fish and beans. Low fat dairy items include: low-fat milk, cheese and yogurt.  Another recommendation from MyPlate is to limit sodium intake by eating less processed foods and microwaved dishes. When it comes to food, fresh is always better!

Daily physical activity is just as important for achieving a healthy weight. For children and teens, 60 minutes of exercise is recommended each day. For adults, at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of exercise is recommended each week. Make an exercise plan and stick to it! You could try common forms of exercise like running, jogging, power walking, weight lifting and aerobics. There are also many other options to explore that will still increase your heart rate. You could try dancing, rock-climbing or even swimming. Be creative with your cardio and commit to getting active.

A special thanks to our National Nutrition Month® sponsor: