Ardmore Nutrition Center Groundbreaking
Chickasaw Nation officials and guests broke ground for an Ardmore Nutrition Center Nov. 3 on the Carter Seminary campus, near other Chickasaw Nation facilities.
The Chickasaw Nation currently has nutrition centers in Ardmore, Ada and Purcell. The Ardmore center was the first to open in 1998, but services have outgrown the facility.
The new center will be approximately 10,000 square feet and will house a grocery store for the food distribution program, a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen, breastfeeding lounge, children's play area, outdoor cooking demonstration area and a conference room.
"The newest center is part of our continuing efforts to create improved services for our people," Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said. "We are sharing the knowledge of diet, fitness and health as we strive to advance the overall quality of life of Chickasaw citizens."
The food distribution program and the Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC) serve nearly 2,600 people a month in the current location.
"We hope to increase the scope of services to be offered at the more centralized location," said Melinda Newport, tribal nutrition services director.
The new location will provide space for nutrition education activities. Clients served in the facility will include those participating in food distribution, WIC, senior and WIC farmers' market nutrition. In addition, cooking shows and classes will be offered, as well as breastfeeding peer counselor services.
For more information, contact the current Ardmore Nutrition Center location at 4915 W. Broadway or by calling (580) 226-8289 or (877) 897-2195.
