Diabetes Program a Success in Calais

Calais, Maine — Twelve people from Calais, Baileyville and Princeton participated in the first four-week Dining with Diabetes Down East series, sponsored by University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Participants learned how to select healthful foods, plan satisfying meals and prepare easy recipes that everyone can enjoy. The community-based program complements medical care by teaching people with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, as well as their family members and caregivers, what they can do to help control blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol. The series ran through May at Calais Methodist Home.

The free four-week series begins May 28 at Ridgeview Apartments in Machias and June 25 at Labor of Love Nutrition Center in Eastport. Due to local demand, plans are underway to offer the series in Lubec this fall. If there is enough interest, registered dietitian-nutritionist Alan Majka also will offer the program in the Milbridge, Harrington, Cherryfield area.

If you are interested in participating in this program and would like more information, or to request a disability accommodation, please call 207.255.3345 or 800.287.1542 (toll free in Maine), or complete our confidential online preregistration survey (umaine.edu/washington). This program is being offered with support from Healthy Acadia, the Downeast Community Transformation Collaborative and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About University of Maine Cooperative Extension:  As a trusted resource for almost 100 years, University of Maine Cooperative Extension has supported UMaine’s land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county. UMaine Extension helps support, sustain and grow the food-based economy. It is the only entity in our state that touches every aspect of the Maine Food System, where policy, research, production, processing,commerce, nutrition, and food security and safety are integral and interrelated.UMaine Extension also conducts the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in Maine through 4-H.

Participants in the first in Dining with Diabetes Down East series in Calais included, from left to right, Marilyn Howard, Barbara Curtis, Carol Donovan, Glenda Wood, Cindy Comeau, James Lunn and Frances Walker. (Photo by Alan Majka)
Participants in the first in Dining with Diabetes Down East series in Calais included, from left to right, Marilyn Howard, Barbara Curtis, Carol Donovan, Glenda Wood, Cindy Comeau, James Lunn and Frances Walker. (Photo by Alan Majka)