For scores of area seniors, the best meal of the day just got better. This spring, the Nassau County Council on Aging introduced a stepped-up new meal service: the Wood Family Foundation Nutrition Program.
The Council on Aging (NCCOA) has offered senior lunches for many years, but until now, entrees were prepared and frozen in Georgia, shipped to Fernandina Beach, then defrosted, heated, and served at Senior Life Centers in Fernandina Beach and Hilliard. Some were delivered, still frozen, to Meals on Wheels recipients throughout Nassau County. Last year, almost 60,000 meals were served this way.
What makes the Wood Family Foundation Nutrition Program special is that now chefs will make delicious, nutritious meals fresh every weekday right here on Amelia Island.
“The system worked well for a long time, but we wanted to offer our seniors more. They deserve it,” said Janice Ancrum, NCCOA president and CEO. “They took care of us, now it’s our turn to take care of them.”
To help make the change, NCCOA engaged TRIO, a highly respected national company, to provide the staff and expertise needed to upgrade the system and keep up with Nassau County’s rapidly growing population. So far, it has been a great success.
The first groups to enjoy the new lunches were members of Just Friends and The Club (Adult Day HealthCare), who meet every weekday at NCCOA’s headquarters in Fernandina Beach. They come for lunch, an opportunity to socialize, and a wide range of educational and fitness activities—everything from armchair travel to Zumba lessons.
“The new meals are well-seasoned and very flavorful, just like home cooked dinners,” said Carolyn Cartwright at a recent Just Friends luncheon. “We’re very pleased with them.” Her tablemates agreed. They enjoyed fresh barbequed chicken breasts, macaroni and cheese, mixed vegetables, milk, a roll, and fruit for dessert. Licensed dietitians determine ingredients and portion sizes to fit seniors’ special nutritional needs. Friendly staff and volunteers offer camaraderie and assistance in the dining room.
Members of Westie Besties who meet at the Westside Life Care Center in Hilliard now enjoy the fresh meals too, and Meals on Wheels seniors across Nassau County receive them flash frozen in weekly deliveries. All county residents over age 60 are eligible. Call NCCOA at (904) 261-0701 for enrollment information.
Since Ancrum took the helm at NCCOA, the nonprofit’s nutritional service has made remarkable progress. In 2018, the State of Florida awarded funds to install a commercial-grade kitchen at the Fernandina Beach facility that now bears Janice Ancrum’s name.
Fernandina Beach residents Sharon Lennon and her late husband, Allen, equipped the kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances, refrigerators, freezers, pantry fixtures, and more. In 2022, the Westside Center’s kitchen was modernized.
The new meal program was made possible by a very generous gift of roughly $5 million from the Tom and Julie Wood Family Foundation. In addition to enhancing services, portions of this gift will pay off the main building’s mortgage and kick-start a $2 million legacy endowment whose income will help the agency fulfill its mission to seniors for many years to come.
Founded 51 years ago, the Nassau County Council on Aging is the oldest nonprofit organization in Nassau County. Its services include adult day healthcare, homemaker and companion services, home repairs, case management, support groups, educational programs, and more. Last year, it distributed 60,000 meals, provided over 28,000 hours of home health services, 3,926 classes and activities, 17,000 hours of caregiver respite care through The Club, completed 118 home maintenance projects, and much more.
For more information on NCCOA services or to make a donation, visit the Janice Ancrum Senior Life Center at 1901 Island Walk Way in Fernandina Beach or call (904) 261-0701, the Westside Senior Life Center at 37002 Ingram Road in Hilliard or call (904) 845-3331, or visit nassaucountycoa.org.