STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Jamie Truppi has been tabbed to serve as a full-time AmeriCorps member for the Blaine County Food Council for the upcoming year.
Truppi will work with community-based organizations to understand what edible education is being offered and figure out the potential for incorporating relevant, age-related health education focusing on food for community youth.
She will research model programs as she works with The Hunger Coalition, University of Idaho’s 4-H program, St. Luke’s Wood River and others.
Truppi, who recently completed a master’s degree in science and nutrition is a practicing integrative nutritionist. The Bellevue woman will serve a one-year Idaho HealthCare for Children and Families term with AmeriCorps.
AmeriCorps engages more than 80,000 men and women a year to work on intensive projects tackling pressing problems across the country. Truppi’s opportunity is made possible with support from the Idaho State University Institute of Rural Health, PECO Foundation, The Hunger Coalition and the University of Idaho Extension in Baine County.
It’s backed by the Blaine County Food Council, a 10-member group founded in 2016 to strengthen the local/regional food system and increase the number of youth eating fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits. The organization also hopes to help youth understand the importance of food on health through hands-on experiences.
It’s made up of representatives from the University of Idaho, Local Food Alliance, The Hunger Coalition, Wood River Farmers’ Market, Blaine County commissioners and St. Luke’s Wood River.
For information about the Blaine County Food Council, contact Lauren Golden at 208-788-5585 or Stacy Whitman at 973-224-5750.
Truppi can be contacted at 503-927-3106 or at jltruppi@gmail.com.