ROCKPORT — Penobscot Bay YMCA Community Health Partnerships will launch a free, 12-week “Cooking for Health & Longevity” series at the Penobscot Bay YMCA’s Rockport branch on Union Street beginning Wednesday, October 7.

Presented in partnership with Nourish ME, an initiative supported by the Maine Rural Health Transformation Grant, the series will provide community members with practical nutrition education and hands-on cooking experience designed to support long-term health and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

Participants will learn how to prepare delicious, nutrient-dense meals while developing practical skills they can use at home. The program focuses on lifestyle strategies that can help reduce the risk of conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

The interactive curriculum is designed to bridge the gap between medical nutrition recommendations and everyday life, giving participants the tools and confidence to put healthy eating into practice.

Highlights of the 12-week series include:

• Practical lifestyle strategies: Learn recipes and everyday approaches that support healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.

• Hands-on cooking: Build practical skills in the accessible teaching kitchen at the Penobscot Bay YMCA.

• No cost to participants: The series is offered completely free through grant funding.

“Food is medicine. Healthy eating can reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, yet many of us were never taught how to cook or how to create healthy meals on a budget,” said Hester Brooks, Nourish ME Nutrition Educator and course instructor, in a news release. “This series isn’t about restriction; it’s about giving people the confidence, skills, and recipes they need to enjoy foods that protect their health and longevity.”

Most classes will be held Wednesdays from October 7 through December 23 at the Penobscot Bay YMCA teaching kitchen, with minor schedule adjustments during holiday weeks. Each session will run from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The series is open to YMCA members and non-members ages 18 and older.

Registration

Space is limited due to the hands-on nature of the cooking environment. Participants are encouraged to attend all twelve sessions. Community members interested in participating can:

• Call the Penobscot Bay YMCA at 207-236-3375

• Visit www.penbayymca.org

• Contact Hester Brooks, Nourish ME Nutrition Educator and course instructor, at 207-236-6313 ext. 4

About the Nourish ME Program:

The Nourish ME program is an initiative supported by the Maine Rural Health Transformation Grant. It focuses on improving health outcomes in rural communities through accessible nutrition education, community partnerships, and hands-on cooking classes designed to reduce risk of chronic disease.

Penobscot Bay Community Health Partnerships (PBCHP), the community health promotion branch of the Penobscot Bay YMCA, serves Knox and Waldo counties to support healthier living in Maine. PBCHP focuses on substance use prevention, harm reduction, tobacco/nicotine prevention, and nutrition education. For more information on how to support this effort, please contact: Jamie Lovley, Penobscot Bay Community Health Partnerships, jlovley@penbayymca.org  207-236-6313 ext. 1

The Penobscot Bay YMCA is a charitable, mission-driven organization committed to strengthening the foundations of community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Y provides financial assistance to ensure all are welcome, and proudly serves 11,000 individuals annually throughout the Midcoast. Learn more at www.penbayymca.org.