Curry Joins Eat Well Program

Cathleen Curry with some of Extension’s “Huggable Veggies.”
Cathleen Curry with some of Extension’s “Huggable Veggies.”

Wanda Lincoln of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension recently announced the selection of Cathleen Curry as an Eat Well Nutrition Associate for Piscataquis County. Curry is from Dover-Foxcroft and joins the local office with a background in business development.  She most recently was a Microenterprise Consultant working with start-up and existing businesses.  Curry provided one-on-one assistance as well as classroom training to area entrepreneurs. Curry holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration through the University of Maine System and was a member of the Penquis Leadership Institute.

As an Eat Well Nutrition Associate, Curry will be working with Felicia Dumont and a program that offers one-on-one home visits, group classes and “Eat Well by Mail” activities that assist county residents in learning how to stretch their food dollars with new ideas and recipes, meal planning for busy people, cooking skills, making favorite recipes healthier, keeping food safe, and tips for a healthy life style. The Eat Well Program is free for income eligible individuals, families, schools, and groups.

Curry notes that this position takes her career in a slightly different direction but believes that her entrepreneurial and teaching skills will be readily adaptable to the field of nutrition education.  “I will be working with both seniors/adults and youth in Piscataquis County. I am looking forward to learning and sharing information and resources to assist individuals in making better decisions surrounding nutrition.”

Walter Boomsma, Executive Committee President for Piscataquis County Extension Association, is excited the local office has hired a local person to work with local people. “I think we can claim a little economic development on that note,” he said. “But the contribution Cathy and this position will make will be much deeper and long lasting. We are making strategic changes and forming a solid team to improve our use of the Maine Food System by groups and individuals—from farm to fork.”

Lincoln agrees and adds, “We’re excited about the many opportunities that exist in Piscataquis County and matching our resources to them. Whether we are in a classroom, home, food pantry, garden, or market, we are determined to create a healthier and more vibrant Piscataquis County.”