New England Arab American Organization

Serving Greater Portland, Westbrook, Augusta, Biddeford, Sebago Lakes Region and

communities across Maine.

My Grandmother's Kitchen is a new NEAAO program designed to promote healthy eating--with an eye on budget. Starting in July, NEAAO will offer cooking classes that focus on Mediterranean cuisine. This is part of a larger campaign to improve access to nutritious foods. NEAAO is working with local markets to encourage use of coupons and vouchers and participation in Instacart. We are also advocating with larger stores like Hannaford to increase the variety and quantity of ethnic foods, and to offer prepared meals that appeal to New Mainer tastes. We are grateful to Good Shepherd Food Bank for supporting these efforts to improve food equity across Maine.

NEAAO Community Health Worker Oula is an important member of our team, offering mobile Covid-19 antigen testing and providing social supports like food shopping for those in quarantine.

The pandemic continues . . . and NEAAO is still there.

NEAAO has hosted 17 Covid-19 clinics since April 2021. We have traveled from Harrison to New Gloucester, from Bethel to Arundel, and all points in between. NEAAO and our partners have helped over 1,400 people gain access to vaccine through these pop-up clinics. And now that Covid-19 vaccines are available for children ages 6 months through 5 years, our work will continue with special emphasis on creating child-friendly, low-stress clinics for our youngest community members, and partnering with agencies like WIC. We encourage you to contact us if you have questions. We can either get the answers for you or point you in the right direction. Call 207-347-0249 or email us at info@neaao.org