GenPhilly Mar 20 Forum Set: What’s Cooking? Exploring Issues & Innovations in Senior Hunger Relief

PHILADELPHIA - March 12, 2013 - PRLog -- Philadelphia — In Philadelphia, 60 percent of all older adults report eating two or less servings of fresh fruits and vegetables per day, and 72 percent are obese or overweight, according to the Public Health Management Corporation.  Many of these individuals are low-income and lack ready access to fresh produce in their neighborhoods. They may also have problems shopping and preparing meals due to lack of transportation and physical frailty. In addition, they may lack knowledge of proper nutrition. GenPhilly will hold a free forum on Wednesday, March 20 to discuss ways to increase food access and nutrition and highlight innovative food access programs around the country which might be replicated in Philadelphia.  The event will take place at the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, 2100 Arch Street in Center City, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. RSVP to genphilly@gmail.com; call 215-765-9000, ext.  5072 or register at www.genphilly.org.

GenPhilly is a network of emerging professionals who are inspiring Philadelphians to connect with older adults through their work and personal lives. Through creative programming and professional development opportunities, it works to change stereotypes and establish Philadelphia as a lifelong community for all of ages. GenPhilly is a program of Philadelphia Corporation for Aging.

Scheduled activities for the ‘What’s Cooking’ event include:

• Networking & Breakfast(8:30 to 9 a.m.)

• Understanding the Issues: Obstacles to Collaboration and Advocacy (9:15to 9:30 a.m.) - Ginger Zielinskie, executive director, Benefits Data Trust

• Panel Discussion and Q&A (9:30 to 10:15 a.m.) - Kate Clark, planner Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (facilitator)

• Increasing Access to Supermarkets - Donna Leuchten, associate director, Uplift Solutions, Inc.

• Connecting Senior to Healthy Food Carts - Ryan Kuck, project manager, West Philadelphia Fresh Food Hub

• Increasing Access to Fresh Produce through Gardens and Home-Delivered Meals - Lisa Sandler, director of community services, Klein JCC

• The Essential Role of  Nutrition Education - Alisha Higgins, The Salvation Army

• Breakout Sessions: Innovations and Advocacy to Alleviate Senior Hunger (10:30 to 11:45 a.m.) - Margaret Ernst, of the Mayor’s Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service, City of Philadelphia and Raechel Hammer, vice president of strategic development & compliance, Klein JCC (facilitators)

Media Contact:
Marcia Siegal
215-765-9000, ext. 5091
cell: 215-287-1237          

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GenPhilly March 20 Forum Set:
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Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) is a private, non-profit, nationally-recognized Area Agency on Aging. Established in 1973, PCA coordinates services with the goal of improving the quality of life for older Philadelphians and adults with disabilities; and helping them achieve their maximum levels of health, independence and productivity. PCA contracts with more than 175 community organizations and providers to deliver services to more than 100,000 individuals each year.  

One of the region’s largest non-profit organizations, PCA is funded primarily through the Older Americans Act, Medical Assistance and the Pennsylvania Lottery, through the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.  

For information on PCA’s services and programs, call the PCA Helpline at 215-765-9040 or visit www.pcaCares.org.