Community Nutrition Program

The Community Nutrition Program offers nutrition guidance for people who are pregnant and provides feeding and nutritional support and advice for new parents after their baby is born. 

The program also supports community hospitals and long-term care facilities in rural areas (e.g., Souris, O’Leary, and Alberton), and serves outpatients in these communities.

Nutrition education and support are available online, by telephone, and in person.

How can community nutrition services help my family? 

Community dietitians are available to answer questions on healthy eating for mothers or children. To speak to a registered dietitian, call 1-877-887-0320 (toll-free) or email publichealthnutrition@gov.pe.ca.

Services during pregnancy

Registered dietitians offer nutrition assessment and counselling to promote a healthy pregnancy. Your dietitian may recommend you take vitamin and mineral supplements while adding specific foods to your diet. 

Nutritional supplements
If you have a high-risk pregnancy, your dietitian may be able to provide you with approved nutritional supplements at no cost to you. 

Examples of high-risk pregnancies include teen pregnancy, previous low birth weight baby, insufficient finances to purchase adequate food to support pregnancy, twin pregnancy, low or excessive weight gain, and inadequate diet.

Milk Ticket Support
Milk tickets are available for financially disadvantaged clients who are participating in regular prenatal nutrition counselling with their dietitians.

Breastfeeding mothers may continue to receive milk tickets for either six months postpartum or until breast milk is no longer the infant’s main source of nutrition, whichever occurs first.

Services for infants and toddlers

Community dietitians offer advice on healthy eating for new parents, guidance on infant feeding, and help to people experiencing challenges with breastfeeding. 

Dietitians can also offer community classes focused on how to feed toddlers and preschool children and address feeding challenges that might arise.

For more information or to register for the next class in your area, contact the Community Nutrition Program. 

Services for families with children ages 5 to 10

Parents who have a child who is overweight or obese or who may want to promote a healthier, more active lifestyle for their children can enroll in the  Lifestyle Triple P Parenting Program

Services in the community

Dietitians work with organizations and community groups to support healthy eating for children and youth, and to promote healthy lifestyle messages.

How do I get nutrition support? 

Contact the Community Nutrition program:

Phone:  1-877-887-0320 (toll-free)
Email:  publichealthnutrition@gov.pe.ca

Alberton
Western Hospital
148 Poplar Street
Alberton, PE   C0B 1B0
Telephone: 902-853-2940
Fax: 902-853-8651

Charlottetown
Sherwood Business Centre
161 St. Peters Road
Charlottetown, PE   C1A 7N8
Telephone: 902-620-3916
Fax:  902-620-3917 

O’Leary
Community Hospital
14 MacKinnon Drive
O'Leary, PE   C0B 1V0
Telephone: 902-859-8723
Fax: 902-859-8701 

Montague
126 Douses Road
Montague, PE   C0A 1R0
Telephone: 902-838-0719
Fax:  902-838-0803 

Souris
Souris Hospital
17 Knights Avenue
Souris, PE   C0A 2B0
Telephone: 902-687-7051
Fax:  902-687-7048 

Summerside
205 Linden Avenue
Summerside, PE   C1N 2K4
Telephone:  902-888-8160
Fax:  902-888-8153 
 

Published date: 
January 18, 2024