FREE Cooking Demonstration: Affordable, Healthy Eating w/ Kelly White, MPH

Join ACNC for a lunchtime, interactive cooking demo that will teach you healthy habits to get well, stay well, and keep your family well. Join Kelly White, MPH, Executive Director of local non-profit Community Health & Wellness Collective Services (The Collective), for monthly cooking demonstrations at AmeriHealth Caritas Wellness & Opportunity Center. WHEN: 12:30-1:30PM (recurring monthly!) EVERY 2nd WEDNESDAY WHERE: 216 Asheland Avenue, Asheville, NC - LOWER PARKING ENTRANCE Mrs. White brings over 10 years of experience in healthcare, public health education, and community advocacy. The Collective brings thoughtfulness and care to communities by sharing vital public health messages and resources. The Collective specializes in community-based health education, advocacy, and wellness programming with a focus on populations experiencing health disparities. The Collective educates community members on practical health and wellness strategies, advocates for underserved populations, and advances health equity through accessible, community-centered programming. Core Program Topics: 1. Nutrition & Movement for Aging Bodies Demonstrating easy-to-prepare, high-protein meals that support muscle retention and bone density, paired with kitchen-based movement and ergonomic techniques to promote safe mobility. 2. Chronic Disease Management Through Nutrition Preparing low-sodium meals and low-glycemic desserts to illustrate how hypertension and diabetes can be managed without sacrificing flavor or cultural relevance. 3. Mental Health, Cognitive Health, and Social Connection Exploring the food–mood connection by cooking with ingredients rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, while fostering social engagement and reducing isolation through shared meals. 4. Medication Safety & Health System Navigation Integrating brief education on common food–drug interactions (e.g., grapefruit, leafy greens) to support medication adherence and safety. 5. Disaster Preparedness & Food Security Teaching “No-Power Pantry” strategies—nutritious, shelf-stable meal planning to support food safety and continuity during emergencies or power outages. 6. Civic Engagement & Food Access Advocacy Using shared meals as a platform for facilitated discussion about local food access challenges, empowering members to engage with available nutrition resources and community supports. Kids are welcome to join. Younger kids can play in our kids room equipped with toys, a chalk wall, coloring books, books and Disney plus. Our ACNC m embers can receive free transportation to and from any wellness center event by calling ModivCare for a reservation: 1-833-498-2262 Let's do better together!