Kennett Square, PA, April 3, 2024 – LCH Health and Community Services in Kennett Square proudly announces a groundbreaking partnership with Penn State’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) to bolster nutrition education and support in the local community.

Commencing on March 19th, 2024, the collaborative effort marks the initiation of a transformative program designed to empower individuals and families with the knowledge and resources necessary for maintaining optimal health through nutrition. Throughout the first session, participants engaged in a comprehensive curriculum that will span nine weeks, addressing various aspects of nutrition and its impact on overall well-being.

LCH Health and Community Services is committed to providing accessible healthcare solutions and it has joined forces with the esteemed Penn State Extension EFNEP program, recognized for its evidence-based nutrition education initiatives, to deliver a holistic approach to health promotion within Kennett Square and its surrounding areas.

“This partnership between LCH and Penn State Extension’s EFNEP program signifies a significant step forward in addressing the critical need for comprehensive nutrition education within our community,” remarked Kate Wickersham, Director of Development at LCH Health and Community Services. “By combining our expertise and resources, we aim to equip individuals and families with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed dietary choices and cultivate sustainable healthy habits.”

The program’s sessions promise to cover a diverse array of topics. “The number of lifestyle diseases like Type 2 Diabetes, hypertension, and certain cancers is growing exponentially in our community. I am very excited to be working with LCH to provide Nutrition Education classes,” expressed Elizabeth Myers from the Penn State Extension Program. “These classes provide education in healthy diet and physical activity, food safety, and navigating a tight budget to stretch food dollars for healthy foods. These classes are designed to improve not only food security but also nutrition security. Through the Penn State Nutrition Links and LCH partnership we hope to put access to this information into the hands of community members who are at a high risk for lifestyle diseases and will benefit most from the information provided.”

As the collaborative program unfolds, both organizations remain committed to fostering a supportive community environment where individuals and families can thrive through access to invaluable resources and support networks.

For more information about the partnership between LCH Health and Community Services and Penn State Extension’s EFNEP nutrition program, please contact Monica Mata-Lopez, Program Coordinator at LCH: mmatalopez@LCHservices.org.

About LCH Health and Community Services

LCH Health and Community Services (LCH) is a diverse, dynamic healthcare and patient services team committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered, comprehensive healthcare services to individuals and families in Chester County and surrounding areas. Founded in 1973, LCH has been changing lives for fifty years. LCH accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and most private insurance. Insurance or no insurance, LCH will take care of you. LCH evaluates our patients to determine their eligibility for discounted services. Our sliding scale discounts are based on income and family size. LCH doesn’t turn anyone away due to inability to pay. LCH offers a wide range of services, including Primary Care, Pediatrics, Women’s Health, Behavioral Health, and counseling services as well as social support, and is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of its community.

About Penn State’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP):

Nutrition Links provides research-based nutrition education to help people and families with limited resources enhance their nutrition, increase their physical activity, and develop life skills to increase, self sufficiency and better health. Classes include hands-on activities and cooking demonstrations to reinforce the learning process. Our evaluation data demonstrates the effectiveness of the program’s impact on participants’ behaviors in food selection, dietary intake, management of resources, and food safety.