Stone Soup-Food Rx Program
- Jackie Dunham-Community Action of Orleans and Genesee COO/Director of Operations
- Robert Batt-Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension Executive Director
- Marie Gabalski-Nutrition Program Coordinator (585)798-4265 Ext. 139
The Stone Soup Food Rx program started in January 2023 and is a two year, $250,000.00 grant from the Highmark Blue Fund. The purpose of the program is to provide education and tools to prepare food that our customers have available or that they get as a part of the local food distributions and pantries. At the conclusion of the class, if the participant completes all the sessions, they are given a Kitchen Kit that includes an InstaPot, measuring cup and spoons, knives, and other kitchen tools valued at over $200.00. In addition, in the second year of the program, the agency and our partners at Cornell Cooperative extension have been working with local farm stands, grocery stores and medical providers to expand this to food prescriptions and monetary vouchers that will are given to people who qualify so that they have access to fresh food and vegetables while working on improving their health. Healthy food options encourage people to make better choices which contribute to healthier people and better health outcomes for our community.