Food and Nutrition
Through important community and government partnerships this department manages the health of the Willow Cree people through food and nutrition.
The Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative
Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program
Canadian Feed the Children Program
The Food and Nutrition department at Willow Cree Health Services is crucial for fostering holistic health within the community. By offering access to nutritious foods, promoting healthy eating habits, and incorporating traditional foods and knowledge, the program addresses physical, mental, and cultural aspects of health, leading to improved overall well-being and community resilience.
PROGRAMMING
THE ABORIGINAL DIABETES INITUATIVE (ADI)
The goal of ADI is to reduce type 2 diabetes among Indigenous peoples by supporting health promotion and primary prevention activities that address this multi-layer disease in a culturally safe way. The program focuses on helping community members self-manage their chronic conditions but aims to help improve people’s environments – making the healthy choice the easy choice.
Services
Individual Counselling for Nutrition Related Topics
- Chronic conditions (diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, etc.)
- Weight management
- Nutrition deficiencies (anemia, B12, calcium, etc.)
Monthly Diabetes/Chronic Conditions Support Group
- Presentations regarding prevention, treatment options, nutrition, medication, etc.)
- Nutrition-related bingos
Diabetes Screening Services
- A1cs
- RBG
- foot screen
- diabetes-related mental health screen
Exercise Opportunities
- Sêsâwêtân – Community Gym
- Snowshoeing (snow permitting)
- Hiking (May – September)
School Workshops
- Rethink Your Drink
- Intro to Healthy Eating
- Preventing Diabetes
Monthly Cooking Classes
Nutrition Support for Home Care Clients
Nutritional Policy Development
Menu Creation/ Modifications
CANADA PRENATAL NUTRITION PROGRAM
The goal of CPNP is to improve the nutrition of pregnant women, new mothers, and their babies until one year of age by offering grocery coupons and facilitating workshops and cooking classes aimed at common nutrition concerns in mothers and children.
Services
Prenatal and Breastfeeding Coupon
Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNC) coupons for registered prenatal/ breastfeeding clients of Willow Cree Health Services.
- Coupons can be used to purchase nutritional foods
- Coupons will be issued every two weeks
Individual Counselling for Prenatal and Post Natal Clients
- General nutrition in pregnancy
- Chronic conditions (diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, etc.) in pregnancy
- Gestational diabetes
- Weight management pre/post pregnancy
Pediatric Nutrition
- Introducing solids
- Formula feeding
- Picky eating
Prenatal and Postnatal Workshops
- Nutrition during pregnancy
- Introducing solids
- Feeding dynamics – reducing the risk of picky eating
The goal of CFTC is to ensure every child has access to nutritious food. This program supports community food sovereignty initiatives that work with the land to ensure sustainability.
Services
Backyard Garden Program
- Tilling Services
- Free Garden Seeds
Canning and Outdoor Cooking Workshops
- Depending on the time of year and produce available
- Pickled vegetables, canned fruit, jam, canned meat
School Workshops
- Canning, Cooking Classes, Traditional Food Processing, and more
Good Food Box Program
- Biweekly
Foraging Fridays
- May – September, weather permitting.
Community Garden
Gardening Workshops
Berry Picking Outtings
Find Us
