The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) and the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) have made an agreement to reach out to different regions of New York State to provide additional Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) education to older adults.

The new program is called SHINE or Senior Health Improvement and Nutrition Education. The nutrition education focuses on adding extra, calorie free flavor to food, preparing quick and healthy meals or snacks, eating healthy on a budget, and maintaining these healthy changes throughout your life.

Becky Preve, Director of the Office for the Aging in Franklin County, has reached out to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Franklin County to promote and coordinate the SHINE program throughout the North Country. SHINE workshops are expected to take place in adult centers, congregate meal sites, and public housing units and include a healthy snack, discussion, nutrition education, and light physical activity. The SHINE program also focuses on distributing food boxes, to provide healthy, nonperishable food items for those in need. Cornell Cooperative Extension Family Health and Wellbeing Educators Emily Tremblay and Dan Sweet will be leading the SHINE workshops throughout the North Country.