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Franklin County extension officials outline nutrition, fall-prevention programs for older adults and low-income families
Summary
County extension staff described ongoing education programs — including an 8-week strength class, a balance program, SNAP‑Ed nutrition education and a $5,000 mini‑grant to a Richmond food pantry — aimed at improving food access and reducing fall risk for older adults and low‑income households.
An extension educator told the Franklin County Commission on July 2 that the county’s Family and Consumer Sciences programs are providing nutrition education, fall‑prevention classes for older adults and food‑pantry support for low‑income families.
The presenter said the Stay Strong, Stay Healthy program is an eight‑week, evidence‑based strength training class offered in community settings to help older adults stay active and reduce fall risk. The county also offers A Matter of Balance, an eight‑session program (two hours per session) aimed at reducing fear of falling and increasing balance and activity; staff are delivering A Matter of Balance in Richmond in partnership with the Franklin County Health Department.
County SNAP‑Ed services were described as a long‑running local program: the presenter said Franklin County has had SNAP‑Ed for about 30 years and pointed to the program’s role teaching families how to prepare foods they receive from food pantries and commodity distributions. The SNAP‑Ed nutrition educator in Franklin County was named as Chris Wallace.
Extension staff also described partnerships that connect nutrition education with meal distribution. The presenter said extension staff worked with local groups to support summer meal distribution (daily counts varying “about 25 to 50” youth on a given day), and that staff coordinate with organizations such as Hope House and Harvesters to pair food distribution with education, recipes and samples.
The presenter highlighted a recent $5,000 mini‑grant secured to support the Richmond food pantry; the grant paid for a refrigerator, freezer and shelving and will fund “nutrition nudges” intended to encourage selection and preparation of healthier shelf items.
Speakers noted added social benefits: several programs, the presenter said, also reduce social isolation among older adults by creating regular opportunities for participants to leave their homes and socialize.
The remarks were informational; no commission action was taken on the programs during the meeting.
