Islandia, NY - September 22, 2016 - Long Island’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Education/Eat Smart New York (SNAP-Ed/ESNY), Cornell Cooperative Extensions of Suffolk and Nassau County, Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE), and RIDES Unlimited of Nassau and Suffolk County hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring four of eight new wrapped buses featuring images and messages encouraging healthy lifestyle choices at the RIDES UNLIMITED in Islandia on Friday, September 16.
Pictured: CCE of Nassau County President Bill McCabe and CCE of Suffolk County Executive Director Vito Minei cut the ribbon as Sal Nicosia from Sen. Tom Croci’s office and Eat Smart NYLI staff look on.
The buses will display core SNAP-Ed/ESNY program messages encouraging healthy food choices and physical activity as a part of a healthy daily routine. These core messages will also be included in the digital advertising and social media campaign. The goal of Eat Smart New York is to improve health and reduce obesity among low income families who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or are SNAP eligible.
The SNAP-Ed/ESNY program is funded through a $6.5 million five year grant from the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. The grant is part of a $14.7 million in federal funding provided to the state for nutritional education and assistance.
About CCE of Suffolk
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County is a non-profit educational agency dedicated to strengthening families and communities, enhancing and protecting the environment, promoting sustainable agriculture, and fostering countywide economic development. Affiliated with Cornell University, and funded in part by Suffolk County government, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County is part of the state and national extension system that includes the land-grant universities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. CCE’s sites and program areas include Agriculture, Marine, 4-H Youth Development, Family Health and Wellness, Suffolk County Farm and Education Center.
About CCE of Nassau
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau enable peoples to improve their lives and communities through partnerships that put experience and research knowledge to work. Extension staff and trained volunteers deliver education programs, conduct applied research, and encourage community collaborations. Our educators connect people with the information they need on home horticulture; food and nutrition; positive activities for youth and families; finances; energy efficiency; economic and community development; and sustainable natural resources. Our ability to match university resources with community needs helps us play a vital role in the lives of individuals, families, businesses, and communities throughout Nassau County.
About Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE)
Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) founded in 1977 and headquartered in Old Bethpage, benefits and proudly supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. It is the mission of FREE to help individuals of all abilities realize their full potential. FREE provides a diverse array of supports and services including: housing, recovery services, transition to work, employment, day, community and family services, respite, crisis services, education and after-school support, primary and specialty health care and advocacy. For more information, please call 516-870-7000 or visit www.familyres.org.
About Rides Unlimited of Nassau and Suffolk
Rides Unlimited of Nassau & Suffolk (RIDES) is a not for profit (501 C3) for-hire passenger transportation company whose primary purpose is the transportation of differently-abled individuals. Rides is authorized by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) as a contract carrier between all points in the City of New York and the Counties of Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester. With over 100 routes operating daily, Rides transports approximately 1500 passengers throughout its vast transportation system that includes both a fixed route and a demand responsive service. Our Islandia based facility is powered by solar panels, and we are in the process of constructing our own (CNG) fueling station to power our fleet of CNG vehicles. As stakeholders in the Greater Long Island Clean Cities Coalition (GLICC), we promote a balanced approach to the development of sustainable, alternative fueled vehicles in order to improve air quality, achieve energy independence, and allow for economic growth.