Funding provided by: The Zidell Foundation
Recognizing the high rates of chronic disease within the correctional system, Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF) is leading the way addressing these diseases within the system by offering education programming. Nutrition education made its way into CCCF thanks to generous volunteers who started a vegetable gardening program. With an abundance of healthy and beautiful produce from their garden, inmates and staff were interesting in learning more about cooking and using whole foods.
“Recognizing the high rates of chronic disease within the correctional system, Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF) is leading the way addressing these diseases within the system by offering education programming.”
Since the Fall of 2014 The Food as Medicine institute has taught eight Food as Medicine Everyday (FAME) series, educating nearly 150 incarcerated women on the basics of adopting a whole foods-based diet. The FAME curriculum at CCCF provides incarcerated women with basic nutrition education and equips them with the tools for overcoming obstacles to healthy eating. FAME has become a beloved program at CCCF and there is a waiting list of over 100 women seeking to take the series.
“Research has shown that there is a significant drop in recidivism when education programs are provided during incarceration.”
FAME not only provides nutrition and cooking education, it provides the women with tangible skills, such a team work, kitchen skills, and cooking experience. These skills have the opportunity to be extremely valuable upon release while the women reintegrate into society and the job force. Research has shown that there is a significant drop in recidivism when education programs are provided during incarceration.
Food as Medicine Everyday Series at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in the News:
- At women’s prison, food is medicine and a fresh start – The Oregonian
- Nutrition is for Inmates Too – NUNM News
- Bringing Nutrition to Coffee Creek Inmates – FAMI Podcast