March is National Nutrition Month®, and the theme for this year is “Fuel for the Future.” National Nutrition Month® is an annual education campaign sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness about all food choices, and to develop sound eating and physical activity habits.
This year’s theme, “Fuel for the Future,” encourages us to keep sustainability in mind when making healthy food choices throughout all stages of life. Sustainable nutrition fuels our bodies while protecting the environment. Some examples of sustainable nutrition are: choosing foods that are more plant based, have minimal packaging, shopping locally, buying foods in season and growing your own garden. The Academy reminds us that we can chose healthful foods that we enjoy, celebrate our culture and are budget friendly all with a little planning ahead.
Celebrated on the second Wednesday of March, during National Nutrition Month, is Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day. This year March 8 marks the day where we recognize registered dietitian nutritionists as the indispensable providers of food and nutrition services, and their commitment to helping people enjoy healthy lives.
The Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) at Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS) are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of older adults. They are tasked with the monitoring and safe operation of local senior nutrition programs, ensuring compliance of all state and federal regulations. They are responsible for menu development, and making sure the meals meet the 1/3 daily nutrient intake for the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI). They develop nutrition education presentations in various settings and provide individualized nutrition counselling to high risk older adults.
This year, DSPS RDN’s will present National Nutrition Month presentations at local senior centers and nutrition sites. To attend one of these presentations, please see list below. If visiting a new center, call ahead to make a lunch reservation and learn about other activities your local senior center can provide. For any questions or more information, call (914) 813-6432.
Join us at one of the senior centers listed below to learn more about how to keep the environment in mind while making better food choices. Learn about how a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) can assist with staying nourished while saving money, eating a variety of foods from all food groups and how to make tasty foods at home.
Friday, March 3
Location: Eastchester Senior Center at Lake Isle
660 White Plains Road
Eastchester, NY
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Contact: Call (914) 337-0390 for lunch reservations.
Wednesday, March 8
Location: Hugh A. Doyle Senior Center
94 Davis Avenue
New Rochelle, NY
Time: 10:30 a.m.\
Contact: Call (914) 235-2363 for lunch reservations.
Wednesday, March 8
Location: Mt. Pleasant Community Center
125 Lozza Drive
Mt. Pleasant, NY
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Contact: Call (914) 592-6441 for lunch reservations
Wednesday, March 15
Location: Mt. Kisco Fox Center
198 Carpenter Avenue
Mt. Kisco, NY
Time: 11 a.m.
Contact: Call (914) 666-8931 for lunch reservations
Wednesday, March 22
Location: White Plains Senior Center at the
White Plains Community Center
65 Mitchell Place
White Plains, NY
Time: 12:15 p.m.
Contact: Call (914) 422-1423 for lunch reservations.
Friday, March 24
Location: Yorktown Senior Nutrition Program at the
Yorktown Community & Cultural Center
1974 Commerce Street
Yorktown Heights, NY
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Contact: Call (914) 962-7447 for lunch reservations.
Monday, March 27
Location: Pelham Seniors
Town of Pelham Recreation Department
20 Fifth Avenue, Pelham, NY
Time: 1 p.m.
Note: No lunch served at this location; open to Pelham residents only
Tuesday, March 28
Location: Elmsford Senior Community Center
10 North Stone Avenue
Elmsford, N.Y. 10523
Time: 11 a.m.
Contact: Call (914) 909-1241 for refreshments and reservations
Note: For Elmsford Seniors Only
Wednesday, March 29
Location: Port Chester Senior and Community Center
222 Grace Church Street
Port Chester, NY 10573
Time: 11 a.m.
Contact: Call 914-939-4975 for lunch reservations