The Pantry is working to expand dietary options via grant (audio)

FM #1661 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1661 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ann McGillis, Operations Director of the Franklin Food Pantry, and Stephanie Carlile, working part-time helping The Pantry as part of a grant. We had our conversation in person in the community room at The Franklin Food Pantry on Friday, February 13, 2026. 

Discussion items: 

• Welcoming Stephanie Carlile, MS, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, LDN, to The Pantry

• Empowering clients with dietary options and dignity in choice

• Introducing Poppy the Puzzle Piece, a new mascot to help identify nutrient dense foods

• Pantry named Healthy Pantry Leader by Greater Boston Food Bank

The conversation runs about 31 minutes. Let’s listen in 

Audio link -  
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1661-franklin-food-pantry-food-is-medicine-02-13-26/

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Franklin Food Pantry web page -> https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/ 

Follow The Pantry on

Facebook ->  https://www.facebook.com/FranklinFoodPantry 

Instagram ->  https://www.instagram.com/franklinfoodpan/ 

Amazon wish list ->  https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2SIL7UR08ZZUC?ref_=wl_share 

Grateful for the years of support from Rockland Trust for use of the prior building which is no longer standing on West Central St in the Rockland Trust parking lot.

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach out. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

UK food choices in 1980 vs 2000. Anyone wonder why obesity and other health problems are rampant today?

"Between 1980 and 2000, something dramatic happened to how we eat.

In the early 1980s, households spent the majority of their food budget on fresh ingredients — fruits, vegetables, oil, meat, salt, home-cooked staples. About 58 % of food spending went toward ingredients you cooked from scratch, while only 26 % went to convenience or processed foods.

Over the next two decades, that flipped.

By 2000, spending on fresh ingredients had plunged to around 28 %, and spending on ready-to-eat and highly processed foods nearly doubled to 44 %. This wasn’t a subtle shift — it was a spectacular transformation in how most families ate daily.

At the same time, obesity rates in the UK followed a similarly sharp rise.

In 1980, about 7 % of adults were classified as obese.

By 2000, that figure had climbed to roughly 20 % — basically tripling over the same period that processed food went from niche to mainstream.

Multiple population surveys and nutrition economics studies document this trend:

• Household food expenditure data from national statistics offices and UK food balance sheets show the shift away from raw ingredients toward processed and convenience purchases.
• Public health surveillance (like NHS and Public Health England data) tracks the rise in overweight and obesity prevalence across the same decades.
• Peer-reviewed research in journals such as The Lancet, BMJ, and Public Health Nutrition connects dietary patterns, food processing, and weight trends over time.

This is more than correlation.

It’s a real example of how changing food environments and convenience eating can reshape population health in just a generation.

We didn’t just eat more.

We ate very different things than our parents did.

Educational content only — not medical advice.
Save this for later and share it with someone who thinks obesity was “always” common.

Source and copyright rights: UK BBC @bbcnewsuk"

Check out the reel on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTgeZyeiHtb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Longevity | Biohacking | Strength (@longevityxlab)

Franklin Food Pantry responds to questions on changes to Federal nutrition programs

Many of our supporters have asked about changes to federal nutrition programs and the impact on the Franklin Food Pantry. While we can’t predict the future, we want to reassure you that thanks to our dedicated staff, committed Board, and incredible volunteers, we are confident that we are in a position to adapt and find solutions to whatever comes our way. 

Franklin Food Pantry responds to questions
on changes to Federal nutrition programs

Your continued support is as important as ever. 

Together we will make sure our neighbors continue to receive the care and resources they need. 

Together, we’re stronger — and together, we’ll keep making a difference. 

❤️ #FranklinFoodPantry #CommunityStrong #TogetherWeCan #EndHunger

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/18qpoSEUCq/

For more information about The Pantry (including contributing to the cause) visit->    https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/

Paper Products for the School Nutrition Program - Invitation for Bid

IFB - Paper Products for the School Nutrition Program

In accordance with MGL c.30B, it is the intention of the Town to enter a contract for the 2024-2025 school year with a supplier and distributor of paper products for the school nutrition program for the Franklin Public Schools. 

Additional Information:  Paper Products for School Nutrition Program

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/purchasing/bids/ifb-paper-products-school-nutrition-program

Paper Products for the School Nutrition Program - Invitation for Bid

Invitation for Bids (IFB) - Paper Products for the School Nutrition Program

Paper Products for the School Nutrition Program

In accordance with MGL c.30B, it is the intention of the Town to enter a contract for the 2024-2025 school year with a supplier and distributor of paper products for the school nutrition program for the Franklin Public Schools. 

Additional Information:  Paper Products for School Nutrition Program

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/purchasing/bids/ifb-paper-products-school-nutrition-program

Invitation for Bids (IFB) - Paper Products for the School Nutrition Program

Franklin Health Dept: Celebrates Whole Grain Day

Today is Whole Grain Day! Whole grains provide fiber, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Whole-grain foods help control of cholesterol levels, weight and blood pressure. These foods also help lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease and other conditions.

Franklin Health Dept: Celebrates Whole Grain Day

Make some simple swaps to better your health: 

• White Bread to Whole Grain Bread
• White Rice to Brown Rice 
• White Pasta to Whole Wheat Pasta
• White Flour to Whole Grain Flours such as Wholemeal Flour
• White Bread Roll to a Multigrain Bread Roll

For more information click here

Town of Franklin: Nutrition Awareness Month

Nutrition Awareness Month

Nutrition Awareness Month

Eat healthy on any budget! 

Eating well doesn't have to be expensive!

Get tips for learning how to cook at home to save, including how to reduce food waste and use a slow cooker: https://sm.eatright.org/CookatHome

Read the info on this topic of the month ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/pages/march_topic_of_the_month.pdf 

Franklin Public School lunch improvements to highlight

Via the Franklin Public School's Facebook page, we share a couple of recent posts to highlight how creative the delivery of school lunch can be within the budget. Delivering healthy, locally sourced, and cost effective meals to students.

"Don't mind us, we're just reminiscing on last week's delicious marinated streak tips with asparagus and brown rice. Our Food Services team sources beef locally to ensure the highest quality is available to our students. This steak was sourced from MeatWorks out of Westport, MA.

The farms were Twin Willow Farm (Westport, MA), Howard’s Farm (West Bridgewater, MA), and Sunny Knoll Farm (Westminster, MA)"

delicious marinated streak tips with asparagus and brown rice

"The Food Service team does it again! Yesterday’s lunch at every school featured local Pollock caught just days ago off the coast of Chatham, MA. The fisherman was Captain Scott MacAllister on his boat, the Carol Marie fishing vessel. Thank you Red’s Best for the great traceability!

You can read more about Captain Macallister in this article: https://capecodfishermen.org/a-young-man-carving-out-a.../"

local Pollock caught just days ago off the coast of Chatham, MA

Night Owl Farm schedules "Nutrition Myths Workshop" - Aug 11

"New workshop alert!!

Learn about common misconceptions surrounding nutrition and food.

Come join this safe space to ask questions & get support. No judgement! Bring all your burning nutrition questions.

Learn more and sign up here: https://night-owl-farm.square.site/workshops"

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CvdCO2wsimX/

Night Owl Farm schedules "Nutrition Myths Workshop" - Aug 11

Register to Join Congressman Jim McGovern for a Progress report on the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health (virtual meeting)

The Interfaith Council's Housing Assistance Program shares this invitation to a Zoom Progress Report on ending hunger in Massachusetts, March 17 at 1 PM. 

See the notice and letter from Sen. Jo Comerford, below. 

Contact her office for the links.

Shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/CpY0UAAOuW_/

Contact information for Senator Comerford ->   https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/JMC0

To register ->   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeuaZ0TezniogCj540iYDmCBogsf40qsfsyRQ-HBKfslNFjkg/viewform 

Register to Join Congressman Jim McGovern for a Progress report on the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health (virtual meeting)

First responder event at Franklin Nutrition - Apr 9 from 9 AM to noon

"Join us this Saturday, April 9th from 9am-12pm at Franklin Nutrition!"

First responder event at Franklin Nutrition - Apr 9 from 9 AM to noon

Shared from  https://twitter.com/franklinpolice/status/1511866284379676679

Health Department: Weekly Wellness Update - Nutrition

March's Health Observance is Nutrition. Read nutrition labels; packaging can have misleading labels and false advertising.  

Learn more at: www.cdc.gov/nutrition

You received this message because you are subscribed to the [Town of Franklin-Health Department] group.

Replies to this email will go to the Town of Franklin-Health Department group. To reply only to Alisha Deptula, email adeptula@franklinma.gov.

Infant and Toddler Nutrition

Study gives pause for consideration of the foods we eat

If you consider a 'balanced diet' as offsetting a hotdog with nuts, why should you put your body through the trouble?

"Eating a hot dog could cost you 36 minutes of healthy life, while choosing to eat a serving of nuts instead could help you gain 26 minutes of extra healthy life, according to a University of Michigan study.

The study, published in the journal Nature Food, evaluated more than 5,800 foods, ranking them by their nutritional disease burden to humans and their impact on the environment. It found that substituting 10% of daily caloric intake from beef and processed meats for a mix of fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and select seafood could reduce your dietary carbon footprint by one-third and allow people to gain 48 minutes of healthy minutes per day.

“Generally, dietary recommendations lack specific and actionable direction to motivate people to change their behavior, and rarely do dietary recommendations address environmental impacts,” said Katerina Stylianou, who did the research as a doctoral candidate and postdoctoral fellow in the the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at U-M’s School of Public Health. She currently works as the Director of Public Health Information and Data Strategy at the Detroit Health Department.

... 

Based on their findings, the researchers suggest:

• Decreasing foods with the most negative health and environmental impacts including high processed meat, beef, shrimp, followed by pork, lamb and greenhouse-grown vegetables.
• Increasing the most nutritionally beneficial foods, including field-grown fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts and low-environmental impact seafood."

Continue reading the article

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210818/Small-changes-in-diet-can-yield-substantial-gains-for-the-environment-and-human-health.aspx

Read the report PDF here -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_u7-VArc1sh6tKv8xA3pT4T0cfGcJfl5/view?usp=sharing

The radar picked this up via Twitter: "New study finds one food can actually take 36 minutes off your life each time you eat it"    https://t.co/KPVmHMabza  https://t.co/JEveLz1jlL

Study gives pause for consideration of the foods we eat

Coffee with a cop - Franklin Police and State Police - Aug 6

Join for "coffee with a cop" at Franklin Nutrition, 5 West Central St on Friday, Aug 6 from 9 AM - Noon

Shared from Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/162770995915/posts/10157736051160916/

Coffee with a cop - Franklin Police and State Police - Aug 6

Pantherbook: Profile - Olivia Quinn, Franklin Nutrition, and Spring softball

A round up of three articles from Pantherbook:

" Student Spotlight: Olivia Quinn"

"Introducing…Olivia Quinn!

Olivia is a junior at Franklin High School in Franklin MA, and is the Hockomock League (Kelly Rex division) MVP! She’s also been named a Boston Herald AND Boston Globe All Scholastic! Congratulations Olivia!"

Continue reading the article online:   https://franklinpanthers.us/top-stories/2021/04/15/student-spotlight-olivia-quinn/

"Restaurant Review: Franklin Nutrition is the Latest Up-and-Coming Café "

"Have you heard about Franklin’s newest café destination? Look no further than Franklin Nutrition.

Franklin Nutrition is run by a family business with Josh Zicherman, Yianna Zicherman, Josh and Yianna’s daughter, Tatyianna Zicherman, and Tatyianna’s husband, Frank Ansah."

Continue reading the article online: https://franklinpanthers.us/top-stories/2021/04/14/restaurant-review-franklin-nutrition-is-the-latest-up-and-coming-cafe/

 

"Spring Softball Season – A Return to Normal"

"Girls softball tryouts for Franklin High School are right around the corner! With the pandemic still in place, there will be some modifications made to assure a successful and healthy season.

As of right now, softball is considered a moderate risk sport. Players are expected to wear face masks and social distance as much as possible."

Continue reading the article online:   https://franklinpanthers.us/sports/2021/04/14/spring-softball-season/

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Nutrition Infographic

"Franklin Public School SWAC (Student Wellness Advisory Council) is sharing this infographic to provide our families with some helpful nutrition tips!  #swac #nutrition #healthychoices  "

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/jCzTgrmLun

 
Other info from the SWAC can be found at

https://www.franklinps.net/district/swac-school-wellness-advisory-council

helpful nutrition tips

In the News: college students not aware of SNAP benefits available

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Hunger is a problem for some college students in MetroWest, and there’s a federal program that could help them.

However, a recent study shows millions of students are potentially missing out on the program, because they either don’t know about it or the eligibility rules are too complicated to understand.

The program is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Nearly two million college students didn’t receive SNAP benefits in 2016, even though they were potentially eligible, according to a December 2018 study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress. The report recommended the U.S. Department of Agriculture improve its efforts to clarify SNAP eligibility requirements, and make them more accessible."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190721/college-students-going-hungry-many-miss-out-on-snap-benefits

Visit the SNAP web page for additional info on benefits
https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program

https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program

School Wellness Advisory Council: "Nutrition Nuggets"

The School Wellness Advisory Council has published "Nutrition Nuggets" and shared here:

Remington Middle School

Live reporting: School Wellness Advisory Committee (SWAC)

Was the wellness committee

School Wellness advisory Committee Presentation May 10, 2016 from Franklin Matters

It is a standing committee, multiple parties represented

we set goals and have tangible progress each year

Page 4 - role/requirements of group

Page 5 - three goals set in mental health, physical activity and nutrition

the guidance update provided at a prior School Committee meeting reflects some of the details of the goals achieved

over 200 in ski program during winter

expanding implementation of breakfast to all the schools, one at a time
school gardens growing, raised beds at some of the schools

hydroponic garden at Parmenter growing lettuce, chard, and tomatoes

84.5% of the students on grades 6-12 responded to the wellness survey
21.5% of the parents, and 51.8% of the faculty

Key findings, parents are not always aware of what is going on in the schools
need to do a better job of communicating and sharing the information (Page 15)

"While you have spoken to the high number of yeses, there are 25% of the parents are saying there is not enough being done"

sought alternative ways, through partnerships (i.e. Reebok with the BOKS program)

collaboration, Franklin will help train the Y summer staff in some of the 'zones of regulation' so there will be consistent language used

track/field and wrestling are both non-cut sports

trying to meet the needs of kids either in the morning or after school
with different physical activities

What is Juice Plus?

From Dashe Videra

What is Juice Plus?

Different than a multivitamin, Juice Plus+ provides concentrated farm fresh nutrition from 30+ different fruits, vegetables, berries, and grains daily. It helps bridge the gap between what you should eat and what you do eat. Juice Plus+ gives even a healthy diet more added nutrients from fruits and vegetables that you may not be getting every day. Everything labeled on the bottle is exactly what you get. 

They are NSF certified (National Sanitation Foundation which is higher than organic - tests for mold, yeast, pesticides, herbicides, and ALL heavy metals), non-GMO, gluten free, dairy free, nut free, peanut free, egg frees, and soy free (except our 100% non-GMO plant based protein powder). 

With every one adult purchase, you can sponsor a child for free and up until 4 years of age (ages 4 through college), has the highest level of Gold Standard Research (30+ peer reviewed studies), and safe for breast feeding mothers, pregnancy, and children. There is no one who cannot take Juice Plus.

Proven Research

JP+ is bioavailable (goes straight into the bloodstream)
JP+ helps enhance immune function (cold and flu protection)
JP+ helps protect DNA integrity and repair DNA damage (anti-aging)
JP+ helps maintain normal blood flow (cardiovascular health)
JP+ helps reduce inflammation (Celiacs, Chrons, Fibromyalgia, ect.)
JP+ reduces oxidative stress
JP+ supports healthy skin
JP+ supports healthy gums

What is Juice Plus Complete?

Juice Plus+ Complete is made of a cold water washed non-GMO soy (most soy is alcohol washed). It is half protein - soy, peas, chickpeas, tofu, rice, and algae; and half carbohydrates - ancient grains, organic quinoa, amaranth, and millet, broccoli sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, radish sprouts, pumpkin, pomegranate, spirulina and yucca.

Complete is sweetened with stevia, monkfruit and organic cane sugar. Its is also egg free, dairy free, gluten free, nut free, and peanut free.

How to Sponsor a Child?

With every 1 adult purchase; either Orchard Garden (2) or the Trio (3), you can sponsor a kid for free from age four through college.


Complete Video - http://vimeo.com/76638318


Nutritionally Fit, April 2014 from jan roberto on Vimeo.


YouTube Video - Next Best Thing




If Juice Plus is for you, you can visit Dashe's website - http://dvideira.juiceplus.com/content/JuicePlus/en.html