NUTRITION EDUCATION OUTREAN PROJECT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Robert Sondak
P. O. Box &66 Brookline, Ma. 02446 (617) 283-2532
“Serving the communities of Boston, Cambridge and Somerville
since 1998 to fight hunger and teach families nutrition skills”

Dear Supporter or Reader
September 26, 2008

With the rise in gas and fuel oil, the prices for produce and vegetables have skyrocketed putting them out of the reach of many low-income and middle class families. As a result, Massachusetts food agencies have reported long food pantry lines for free food.

Research conducted by Project bread identified that hunger was a major predicator of chronic health problems in school aged children. Asthma, diabetes, failure to thrive and high levels of lead were chronic health problems affecting school aged children. Researchers also found that Boston School Students had diets that were deficient in Vitamin B complex and the essential minerals iron and zinc. (Project Bread, Status Report on Hunger in Massachusetts 2006).

Additionally, agencies lack funding resources to distribute nutrition materials. These programs do not have the technical knowledge or resources, and staff to teach clients how to make recipes encouraging traditional and ethnic foods

Last year, we conducted a client assessment in Somerville at the Ruby Rogers Mental Health & Advocacy Center. Client interest level in our recipes was recorded at 50%.

The previous year we conducted a client assessment in Roxbury at the Grace & Hope Baptist Mission Food Pantry. Client interest level in our recipes was recorded at 35%.

We need your support to become a more effective and efficient non-profit. Contributions can be mailed to
Robert Sondak c/o
Nutrition Education Outreach Project
P. O. Box 766,
Brookline, Ma. 02446

We also are in need of two laptop computers: preferably Apple wireless laptop computers for graphics and program development work. We are looking seeking a wireless laptop computer to run the Windows operating system to help us communicate with our network of domestic and international volunteers. Those wishing to contribute computers can contact: NEOP Executive Director: Robert Sondak,
617) 283-2532 or bosonma@yahoo.com

We are also looking for volunteers. Volunteers can contact:
NEOP Executive Director: Robert Sondak
(617) 283-2532 or bosonma@yahoo.com


With your assistance we plan to submit our state and federal incorporation papers for non-profit status.

Thank you for your support.

We are President and Vice President Robert Sondak and Vincent Dixon.
Other Board members are
Sister Joyce Mc Mullen Director of Project Care & Concern
Lew Budd Ruby Rogers Mental Health & Advocacy Center Program Associate
Phyliss Friedman Massachusetts Department of
Childcare Outreach Manager

For more information on NEOP access our web blog
or access the Quincy Farmers Market web page and read the NEOP page.

• Http://neopneop.blogstream.com

• Http://www.quincyfarmersmarket.com

http://neopneop.blogspot.com
Access our 2009 activites schedule in the summer and fall.
The activites web page will be updated weekly.

Our activities;

facilitating a food booth at the Quincy Farmers Market.
Fridays bi-monthly

facilitating a Cooking with Herbs series by our Director Robert Sondak.
At the Somerville Growing Center. Located 10 minutes west from Union
Square
Fridays once a month 5 to 6:30pm June, July, August and Saturday October 3.

for more information access http://neopneop.blogspot.com

"Serving the communities of Boston, Cambridge and Somerville since 1998 to fight hunger and teach families nutrition skills”

MISSION: Strengthen the cognitive development of children by monitoring family nutrition through professionally supported, community-based nutrition education and on-going food science and diet research.

The Nutrition Education Outreach Project (NEOP) is a Brookline-based nutrition education outreach organization.

Our outreach included:

• Circulated recipe flyers for English, Spanish, and French speaking families highlighting ingredients, quantityand portion size.
• Distributed recipe flyers to encourage traditional and ethnic foods for non-native families.
• Facilitated a program of nutrition workshops for families with children.
• Coordinated cooking classes instructing families in how to prepare recipes.
• Established cooking classes for school-age children teaching them how to prepare recipes.

HISTORY: In 1988, a nutrition pilot program was established that later became know as the Nutrition Education Outreach Project.
The following year NEOP created an outreach program with six community partnerships. In 2000, NEOP expanded its program
by circulating flyers in Spanish and French. In 2001 and 2002, NEOP circulated holiday recipe flyer cook booklets in English, Spanish and French in Cambridge. In 2003, NEOP created client nutrition workshops at the Ruby Rogers Mental Health and Advocacy Center. In 2005, NEOP coordinated client-based cooking classes at the Ruby Rogers Mental Health and Advocacy Center and the Project Care & Concern. Growth continued in 2006 with the establishment of a program of cooking demos with the Union Square, Somerville Farmers Market. Expansion remained strong in 2007 with the establishment of a program of cooking demos at the Arlington and Quincy Farmers Market and also doing staff work for the Town of Arlington Human Services & Arlington Housing Authority Seconds Market, brining our total number of partnerships to 15.

SUCCESSES
In 2007; NEOP facilitated classes for 825 people, 10 percent of our total low-income client population 8,250.
In 2006; NEOP completed a client assessment in Roxbury, Massachusetts at the Grace& Hope Baptist Mission Food Pantry which showed a 30% client interest level in our recipes.
In 2005: NEOP developed a nutrition and health newsletter program.
In 2004; NEOP developed a publicity and promotion web blog page.
In 2003; NEOP distributed 1,500 English Second Language recipe flyers.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS:
Cambridge:
-Cambridgeport Baptist Church
-Salvation Army
-East End House
-Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church
-Cambridgeport Baptist Church
-St. Paul's Episcopal Methodist Church
Somerville:
-Ruby Rogers Mental Health and Advocacy Center
Boston:
-Grace & Hope Mission
-Project Care & Concern
-Pilgrim Church and Pilgrim Day Care Center
-Harbor Point Seniors Center
Quincy:
-Quincy Farmers Market
Arlington:
-Arlington Farmers Market
-Arlington Housing & Human Services Seconds Market

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
French Translators, Marketing Consultant, Program Development, Farmers Market Outreach Table, Cooking Consultant
Web Development, Accountant.

For further information contact NEOP weblog:
http://neopneop.blogstream.com
Also go to the Quincy Farmers Market Web page to read the NEOP page.
http://www.quincyfarmersmarket.com

Robert Sondak, NEOP Executive Director
• bosonma@yahoo.com . (617)-283-2532