Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative’s community outreach program served 58 more people July 30 compared to July 16. On July 16, we served 146 households, 187 adults, 86 seniors and 176 children for a total of 449 people. On July 30, adults were up 33, seniors were down 13 and children were up by 38.

Below are the specific numbers for July 30.

Whitehall

Households: 84

Adults: 126

Seniors: 41

Children: 137

Total of people: 304

Coplay

Households: 62

Adults: 94

Seniors: 32

Children: 77

Total of people: 203

Total

Households: 146

Adults: 220

Seniors: 73

Children: 214

Total of people: 507

We are expecting the numbers to rise in August. The program has been extended from Aug. 20 to Oct. 22 since we expect the need will increase even more. Our August distributions are Aug. 13 and 27. Again, we are so grateful for your food and monetary donations.

This week’s food needs include graham crackers or saltine crackers, individual cereal boxes/cups, individual boxes of raisins, Jif to Go peanut butter, individual macaroni and cheese, ramen chicken noodles (block), large boxes of cereal, spaghetti noodles, baked beans, canned chicken and Hamburger Helper.

Thank you once again to Anne Chickilly and Erik Segan, who have a large garden at Mickley-Prydun Farm and are donating all of their fresh vegetables to the program. We are very fortunate to have many summer farmers markets and stands open in our area. Please take advantage of all the seasonal fruits and vegetables available to you there and in your local grocery store, and please remember to make sure to wash them before preparing and eating them.

Fresh vegetables are a mainstay in the popular Mediterranean diet. While my real estate job was closed down due to COVID-19, I took a free Penn State Extension class online for the Mediterranean diet. I had heard many good things about the diet before, and my doctor had also suggested I try it. There are many cookbooks you can obtain from Whitehall Township Public Library and Coplay Public Library. I have been to the Mediterranean several times and enjoy the food and culture of many of the countries making up this region in Europe - all around the Mediterranean Sea.

The diet is a way of life. Please see the pyramid for the diet at oldwayspt.org.

From Oldways, “The Mediterranean diet is the Best Overall and Easiest to Follow in 2020, 2019 and 2018, according to U.S. News & World Report.

“In 1993, Oldways created the Mediterranean diet pyramid - in partnership with Harvard School of Public Health and the World Health Organization - as a healthier alternative to the United States Department of Agriculture’s original food pyramid. Today, the Mediterranean diet is more popular than ever, with new research every month documenting its benefits and chefs and home cooks alike embracing Mediterranean ingredients and flavors. Starting at the base of the pyramid, you’ll find core foods to enjoy every day: whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, herbs, spices, nuts and healthy fats, such as olive oil; twice weekly servings of fish and seafood; moderate portions of dairy foods, eggs and occasional poultry; and infrequent servings of red meats and sweets.”

With the Penn State class, they also used this pyramid. On the bottom of the graph is the base or first level for the pyramid, which holds up four other levels. The base shows people dancing, families and friends eating together, people walking and kids playing sports. This large base shows being very active with friends and family and doing some sort of exercise - not the food itself - is the basis to start the diet.

The second level is what their daily plate consists of and is mainly plant based. It was mentioned the diet also works with the abundance of seasonal produce. Most of your plate is filled with fruits, vegetables, grains (mostly whole), olive oil, beans, nuts, seeds and legumes (foods in a pod like green beans and peas); herbs and spices.

The third level has fish and other seafood that is consumed at least twice a week. Again being on the Mediterranean Sea, fish and other seafood are in abundance.

The fourth level is poultry, cheese and yogurt. Mediterranean cheese is mainly goat and sheep. They do not have cows like we do.

The fifth level is made up of red meats and sweets. These are usually saved for special celebrations. Red wine is served daily; recommendations are one 4-ounce glass of wine for ladies and two 4-ounce glasses of wine for men. The people also drink a lot of water. The pyramid does not show any soda or sugary types of drinks.

In the Penn State class and on the Oldways site, “In subsequent years, hundreds, if not thousands, of additional studies have added to the body of scientific evidence supporting the ‘gold standard’ status of traditional Mediterranean diet-eating patterns. These studies show eating the Mediterranean way may lengthen your life, improve brain function, defend you from chronic diseases, fight certain cancers, lower your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and elevated ‘bad’ cholesterol levels, protect you from diabetes, aid your weight loss and management efforts, keep away depression, safeguard you from Alzheimer’s disease, ward off Parkinson’s disease, improve rheumatoid arthritis, improve eye health, reduce risk of dental disease, help you breathe better, lead to healthier babies and lead to improved fertility.”

As your mother always says, “Eat your fruit and vegetables!”

Enjoy the rest of the summer. Please call or text me with any questions you have.