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Committee hears WIC and Farm to Fork presentations on nutrition education; materials received and filed
Summary
Representatives from Catholic Charities’ WIC program and the Farm to Fork initiative described nutrition education, food access and proposed community cooking classes; the committee voted to receive and file the reports.
Speakers from Catholic Charities’ WIC program and the Farm to Fork initiative briefed the Buffalo City Committee on Education about nutrition education and resources during the Jan. 30, 2020 meeting.
Kendra Hogan, identified as a nutritionist and outreach coordinator for the Catholic Charities WIC program, explained that WIC (Women, Infants and Children) is a federally funded nutrition program serving pregnant women, infants and children up to age 5. Hogan said the Buffalo-area sponsor covers Erie, Niagara and Chautauqua counties and reported about 26,000 active participants across those three counties. Hogan noted that the program is income-based and that families receiving Medicaid, SNAP or TANF automatically qualify for WIC services. "WIC provides nutrition education," Hogan said, adding the program offers registered dietitians, breastfeeding support and referrals to other resources.
Patty Green, founder of Farm to Fork, described a hands-on cooking and nutrition education program focused on seasonal foods and practical skills. Green said Farm to Fork provided virtual cooking classes during the COVID-19 pandemic that expanded to serve hundreds of families weekly and that the program aims to place classes in each council district, schools and community centers. "Our goal is really for families to learn how to eat in season because it's so inexpensive," Green said.
Council members responded positively and discussed possible partnerships. Councilman Noah Carlson and other members expressed interest in hosting classes in their districts and in intergenerational programming involving seniors and grandchildren. Several council members said they or their district offices would help coordinate events.
Procedurally, the committee opened discussion for the item, heard the presenters, then moved to close discussion. A motion to receive and file the presentation was made and seconded by Councilman Norcoskie; the transcript records the motion and second but does not provide a roll-call tally. The committee also recorded motions to close discussion. The transcript does not show further funding decisions or scheduling details beyond council members’ expressions of interest and offers to follow up.
The WIC presenter emphasized outreach needs: Hogan said only about half of those who qualify for WIC currently use the program, and she offered assistance to help increase awareness. Farm to Fork representatives noted available community kitchen spaces and support from the mayor’s office and council members for district-based programming.
