Food Center offers free blood pressure screenings to shoppers
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Piscataquis Regional Food Center, home of the Dover-Foxcroft Area Food Center, teamed up with Northern Light Mayo Hospital on Tuesday to provide free blood pressure screenings for Food Center shoppers.
Adults in Piscataquis County have a higher incidence of high blood pressure than other regions in Maine and 10 percent higher than the U.S. average,” stated Food Center Executive Director Kelly Sirimoglu. “We know that eating a heart-healthy diet is important for managing blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes, which is why we launched the Healthy Additions program.”
SCREENINGS — Nikki Chadwick, RN, VP Risk and Quality at Northern Light Mayo Hospital. Chadwick was at the Piscataquis Regional Food Center helping provide free blood pressure screenings for shoppers.
While the Food Center receives a high percentage of low-sodium foods and fresh produce from Good Shepherd Food Bank, the Healthy Additions program focuses on sourcing new products to help community members prepare low sugar and low sodium meals. This week shoppers are offered three different salt-free seasoning blends, sauces made without added sweeteners, lentils, quinoa, and other items to make eating healthier easier, and more flavorful.
Piscataquis Regional Food Center, founded in 2017 is a 501c3 nonprofit in Dover-Foxcroft and is an equal-opportunity employer. PRFC’s mission is connecting people with sources of healthy food and stimulating the regional agricultural economy. In December PRFC acquired the Dover-Foxcroft Area Food Cupboard and returned to a choice storefront model.
FOOD CENTER SHELVES — Items available at the Piscataquis Regional Food Center, home of the Dover-Foxcroft Area Food Center, on North Street in Dover-Foxcroft.