Food center awarded Maine Cancer Foundation grant to launch Nourish Piscataquis initiative
DOVER-FOXCROFT— Piscataquis Regional Food Center is proud to announce it has been awarded funding from Maine Cancer Foundation to support “Nourish Piscataquis”, a new healthy eating and wellness initiative designed to improve access to nutritious foods and health education for rural residents experiencing food insecurity.
Building on the success of PRFC’s Healthy Additions program, Nourish Piscataquis will provide participants with monthly healthy meal kits, simple recipes, nutrition guidance, cooking education opportunities and wellness-focused activities that encourage healthy lifestyle habits and long-term wellbeing.
The program is designed specifically for the unique challenges faced by rural communities in Piscataquis County, where transportation barriers, geographic isolation and limited access to fresh foods can make healthy eating difficult for many families and individuals.
“We know that access to nutritious food is deeply connected to long-term health outcomes,” Kelly Sirimoglu of the Piscataquis Regional Food Center said. “This funding allows us to go beyond simply providing food by helping participants build confidence in preparing healthy meals, learn practical nutrition skills and create healthier habits that can positively impact their overall health and quality of life.”
Through Nourish Piscataquis, PRFC hopes to reduce barriers to healthy eating while empowering participants with practical tools and knowledge that support disease prevention and wellness. The initiative will also strengthen PRFC’s broader mission of improving community health through food access, local partnerships and nutrition-focused programming.
Maine Cancer Foundation’s grant is offered as part of their ongoing efforts to reduce cancer incidence and mortality in Maine. They have invested over $22 million since 2015 in support of cancer prevention, early detection and screening, and access to care for all Mainers. To learn more about Maine Cancer Foundation, visit www.mainecancer.org.
Piscataquis Regional Food Center, founded in 2017 is a 501c3 nonprofit in Dover Foxcroft and is an equal opportunity employer. PRFC’s mission is to connect people with sources of healthy food and stimulate the regional agricultural economy. PRFC believes that everyone, regardless of circumstances, should have reliable access to fresh, healthy, and nourishing food. By fostering local partnerships, supporting sustainable practices and addressing the unique challenges of our rural region, PRFC is working to create a future where hunger is eliminated, nutrition is prioritized, and every individual is empowered to live a healthy and dignified life.
Maine Cancer Foundation is dedicated to reducing cancer incidence and mortality rates in Maine. One hundred percent of funds raised by the Foundation are used to benefit the people of Maine. MCF leads a state-wide effort to advance the most promising and effective cancer-fighting efforts available to the people of Maine through a combination of grant-based financial support and coalition building.
To learn more about Maine Cancer Foundation, visit www.mainecancer.org, or contact Katelyn Michaud, katelyn@mainecancer.org or 207-773-2533.