Purpose: To improve the nutrition and lifestyle of food-stamp eligible older adults in North Carolina by identifying nutritional risks and intervening with nutrition education.



Partners in Wellness (PIW) is a nutrition education program targeted to older adults who are food-stamp eligible/recipients and is funded by USDA contract from 1998 to 2004. It is delivered at congregate nutrition sites (CNSs) throughout North Carolina prior to the hot meal that is provided by each site. PIW is based on the Socio-ecological Model which targets the individual and the surrounding environment to achieve behavior change. Each level in the model (individual, interpersonal, organizational, communal and societal) is addressed in PIW delivery.

The program consists of 14 modules that are composed of 4-5 educational sessions, which are delivered once a week. Each 15-30 minute session involves group interaction, skill building, taste testing, and a variety of activities designed to influence behavior change. Additionally, nine ‘songs that teach nutrition’ (nutrition lyrics put to old tunes) were developed as part of the educational component of selected modules. Each song was used in its appropriate module to assist with specific knowledge and behavior change.