In October, New Milford Hospital launches an “Eatingwell” program to provide Diebold Family Cancer Center patients with the nutritional benefits of “Plow to Plate” meals, free of charge. The program is made possible through funding from the community.
The Plow to Plate concept promotes consumption of locally grown foods as important to well-being and disease prevention. Plow to Plate meals are prepared from scratch on site by food-service management company Unidine Corp. using fresh produce, antibiotic-free meats and locally grown fruits and vegetables as much as possible.
The hospital stated that maintaining good nutrition can help cancer patients feel better and stay stronger.
The Eatingwell program will serve 350 meals each month to cancer patients at the hospital. Patients are offered a free Plow to Plate meal after each chemotherapy or radiation therapy treatment, with the option of eating in the hospitalӪs caf̩ or taking their meals home.
The annual cost is $34,000, which the hospital hopes to obtain through donor support. It also hopes to expand the cancer center”™s Let”™s Get Cooking program, a free quarterly cooking class and nutrition workshop designed to help cancer patients and survivors make informed and healthy lifestyle choices.
To learn more about the food programs, call Cindy Tyler at 860-210-5302. To support these programs, contact the hospital”™s foundation at 860-210-5270.
