About A-HA
Who Are We?
Agri-food for Healthy Aging (A-HA) was created in 2007 through the efforts of MaRS Landing, Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA), and the Universities of Guelph and Waterloo to address a gap in research activity and dissemination in agri-food, nutrition and health as they apply to aging.
A-HA is a collaborative research and networking group that aims to realize opportunities for Ontario's agri-food and health sectors to improve the health and well-being of older adults through the innovative use of food. The core research scientists hold expertise in the areas of applied nutrition & dietetics, nutritional sciences, food sensory science, and human health, and the program manager has expertise in Knowledge Translation and Transfer (KTT) activities.
Objectives
A-HA's objectives are to:
- Conduct research to improve nutrition of older adults and enhance the mealtime experience
- Facilitate and realize the linkages between agriculture, food, nutrition and healthy aging through partnership development with agri-food and health sector stakeholders
- Provide caregivers, including health care professionals and families, with information regarding the nutritional health and well-being of older adults
- Promote access to existing, and develop new, health agri-food options (i.e. functional foods) that meet the nutritional and sensory needs of older adults.
Governance & Support
A-HA has a Chair, and Associate Chair and a Program Manager to support operational and administrative needs of four core research scientists, while building strategic partnerships with agri-food and health sector stakeholders. In addition to financial support from the University of Guelph and the RIA for a full-time Program Manager, research support is sought through traditional tri-council granting agencies and strategic alliances with major players in the agri-food and health sectors.
Links
Knowledge Translation & Transfer Activities