GovOps committee backs $426,532 nutrition-education grant from University of New England

The Government Operations Committee voted to recommend that the full Bangor City Council accept and appropriate $426,532 from the University of New England to support a Rural Health Transformation nutrition-education program.

Michael Beck, chair of the committee, introduced the referral and asked Public Health Director Jen Gunderman to explain the request. Gunderman said the funds are federal dollars routed through the state and subcontracted to local entities, and that the program is different from the former SNAP Education Program, which lost federal support. "This funding will allow nutrition education to start back up again and be able to reach a more broader population," Gunderman said.

Gunderman told the committee the earlier federal cut to SNAP education forced the department to end the prior program and lay off two staff members; some staff were kept on under other funding. She said the new grant will allow the department to hire several staff and to use the SNAP education infrastructure in a broader way while reducing program eligibility restrictions that previously limited which populations could receive education.

Councillor Melia raised concerns about how much of the program would directly benefit Bangor compared with other counties in the public-health district. Gunderman said Bangor is the most densely populated area and generates much of the demand for services, and she offered to provide the committee with more specific data on where education activities will take place. She emphasized that the staff time and materials for this program are supported by the grant, not city general fund dollars.

The committee moved and seconded a recommendation to send the appropriation to full council for approval.

Next steps: the referral will be placed before full council for final acceptance and appropriation of the grant funds.