Nutrition

Nutrition is a primary focus of all we do at Helena Food Share. We believe our community is healthier when everyone has access to nutritious food. When people have the necessary nutrients to support human health, they have more energy, stronger immune systems, and experience increased overall mental and physical health.

Balanced nutrition is central to all our food-sharing programs:

• The Grocery Share Market provides fresh produce, grains, dairy, eggs, and meat for customers in the Market to support healthy eating, along with other grocery staples.
• The Helena Food Share Garden grows fruits, vegetables, and herbs for distribution in the Grocery Share Market and Education programs.
• In partnership with the Montana Harvest of the Month program, Montana-grown products and recipes are featured monthly in the Grocery Share Market.
• The Helena Food Share Kitchen uses rescued and donated food to prepare soups, salads, baked goods, and pre-packaged heat-and-serve meals – all distributed in the market. Fresh items are packaged and stocked in the market daily. Other items are flash-frozen for distribution at a later date.
• The Charlie Cart hosts cooking demonstrations most weeks in the Market, showing how easy it is to create affordable, healthy, and delicious meals. It also travels to area elementary schools for lessons on cooking and nutrition.
• The Community Room is an educational space dedicated to addressing the health and nutritional needs of our community. In addition to classes offered by Helena Food Share, local groups that align with our mission may request the use of the room for classes and events open to the community. Learn more and request use of the space on the Community Room web page.
• Fresh Is Best store food drives are held throughout the year, encouraging shoppers to donate fresh fruits and vegetables for distribution in the market.
• Nutrition Partners work with us to provide food for our neighbors in need who have special health requirements, such as Food Is Care, in collaboration with St. Peter’s Health.

Want to Learn More?

Check out the Resource Links on this page, watch for upcoming events that support our nutrition initiatives on the Helena Food Share Calendar, and check out our  Blog posts to learn how Helena Food Share supports nutrition in our community