Champlain Valley Agency on Aging Recognized for its March for Meals Campaign

Essex Jct, VT - The Champlain Valley Agency on Aging (CVAA) has been awarded a $1,000 grant from the Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) in recognition of the success of their 2009 March for Meals campaign. Over 150 organizations across the country applied for MOWAA grants. CVAA was awarded the Silver Award. "During these difficult economic times, our Meals on Wheels clients are more dependent on our services than ever before," According to Zoe Hardy, Nutrition Director for CVAA." This grant will help Vermont's most rural and isolated seniors."

The March for Meals campaign is a national campaign, in which CVAA was a participant, to raise awareness of senior hunger, and to encourage action on the part of the local community. Over 1,100 Mayors across the country took part in this campaign delivering Meals on Wheels for one day including local mayors from Winooski, Burlington, and Vergennes. Over 225,000 Meals on Wheels are delivered in Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle counties each year to homebound seniors. Nationally 1 in 4 seniors are malnourished and over 90% of seniors have a chronic medical condition that is impacted by their diet such as heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure.

The Champlain Valley Agency on Aging is committed to helping seniors age with independence and dignity by providing information and services to help people remain in their own homes.

CVAA will hold its 3rd annual Top Chef of the Champlain on Aug 10 at UVM's Davis Center to benefit its Meals on Wheels and Case Management programs. Sam Palmisano of Pulcinella’s (2008 Top Chef ) will defend his title against Chef Robert Barral of Café Provence and JJ Vezina of the Windjammer Restaurant and Upper Deck Pub. Watch the chefs go head to head in this gourmet cook-off. A selection of tasty appetizers from some of the areas top chefs will be served along with a wine, beer and draft cider tasting presented by Farrell Distributing and Woodchuck Draft Cider.

Tickets are $35 and are available online at www.cvaa.org or call 1-800-642-5119. Win a chance to be served a tasting plate by the winning chef after the competition in a private dining, raffle tickets are $5 for this one of a kind opportunity.

Sean Buchanan of Vermont Public television’s “Feast in the Making” and Executive Chef of the Stowe Mountain Lodge and Charlie Papillo of WVMT will emcee. Celebrity judges include Jozef Harrewyn, Executive Chef and Owner of Chef’s Corner in Williston, Melissa Pasanen, co-author of New York Times notable cookbook, “Cooking with Shelburne Farms: Food and Stories from Vermont”, Suzanne Podhaizer, food critic for Seven Days, and Annie Harlow, a local farm based food consultant.

CVAA is the resource on senior issues for the Champlain Valley. CVAA provides Case Management, Meals on Wheels, Successful Aging Programs and support to seniors age 60 and older in Addison, Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle counties and their caregivers. For information about services available for seniors 60 and older call the Senior Helpline at 1-800-642-5119.