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Nutrition & Food Security

Nutrition & Food Security

Nutrition security is consistent and equitable access, availability, and affordability of foods and beverages that promote well-being, prevent disease, and, if needed, treat disease. In 2020, Clinton County’s food insecurity rate was 11.9% - more than two percentage points higher than the New York State average.

CCHD’s goals regarding nutrition & food security are to:

  • Engage community partners in addressing food/nutrition security.
  • Encourage routine evidence-base screening for food/nutrition security across community settings.
  • Collect, aggregate and analyze timely food/nutrition security data; develop appropriate interventions based on findings.
  • Build a healthier and more food/nutrition secure community.

What can you do to help?

  • Residents can complete our Nutrition Security Screening Tool.
  • Health, human services, education and social service partners can utilize CCHD’s Food/Nutrition Screening Algorithm and resource tools.
The cover for the Clinton County Food Action Plan is shown. Below the title is a collage of images showing the stocked shelves of a grocery store, a full display of apples, a person feeding ducks, and many people visiting a salad bar. The Clinton County Health Department Logo and the Change Lab Solutions Logo are seen at the bottom of the image.

Food Action Plan

The Clinton County Food Action Plan is a roadmap, establishing goals, priorities, actions and strategies intended to strengthen the local food system. The plan encourages cross-sector collaboration to create a food system that addresses inequities, coordinates relevant stakeholders, supports the local food economy, and promotes sustainability.

Created by local partners, you can read the full plan here.

Food Waste Reduction

CCHD is tackling food waste through Eat Smart, Waste Less Clinton County. Current project activities aim to:

  • Increase awareness of the negative health and environmental effects of food waste among residents through education.
  • Reduce perceived barriers to food waste reduction strategies in home and commercial settings by offering practical and actionable solutions.
  • Establish small scale food scraps collection sites within the county, while supporting the development of municipal level programs.

Learn more about this initiative here.

Healthy Food Donation

Significant amounts of good food goes to waste in our country. CCHD supports efforts to recover surplus food and redistribute it within our community. CCHD has also sought resources and funding to help our local food pantries increase their ability to accept, store and offer fresh foods and a wider variety of healthier choices.

Learn more about making healthy donations and access the Food Drive Planning Guide here.