​PLANT POWERED JUMPSTARTS

Eat to Thrive & Overcome Chronic Illness

The 21-Day Plant Powered Jumpstart is your chance to experience how whole plant foods can transform health -- and how achievable a plant-based lifestyle can be. 

Orientation Session:
Thursday, May 12
7:00 - 8:30 PM ET
Educational Sessions:
Specific Sundays and Tuesdays
​between May 15 - June 12
Group Mentorship Meetings: 
Thursday afternoons or evenings
​​May 19 - June 9

This virtual health empowerment program gives you the knowledge to understand the connection between food and chronic disease and the support to take a bold step toward lifelong health. 
​
The jumpstart includes:​

• Engaging educational sessions covering the essentials of evidence-based nutrition, grocery shopping, mindset, and more!
• Support with setting and achieving goals for healthy eating
• Medical intake from a team of clinicians knowledgeable in food-as-medicine​​
• Weekly group mentorship meetings for affinity groups, like those with specific chronic diseases or similar life stages

• Community potlucks and farmers’ market tours, for local participants
• Culinary demonstrations to build your recipe repertoire and meal prep skills
• A virtual community for peer-to-peer support
• A jumpstart app with easy access to resources, including a shopping list and meal planning resources
• A chance to win prizes to support your whole food, plant-based lifestyle!

This jumpstart program is expected to be part of a study conducted by SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University’s School of Public Health; at this time, the project is awaiting approval by the University’s Institutional Review Board. Participation in the study is voluntary, and those who take part will respond to questionnaires administered by SUNY Downstate researchers. Participants are asked to submit information on their overall health condition and any recent lab results before the program kickoff and again once the program has ended. 
​
Program Eligibility:
We are excited to offer this life-changing program to residents of the New York metro area and beyond! Participants should: 

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Commit to following the program's dietary guidelines for at least 21 days, to the best of your ability.
• Commit to participating in all jumpstart sessions and mentorship meetings, to the best of your ability.
• Be comfortable using Zoom conferencing and have a stable internet connection.​
• Sign all program waivers and research consent forms, if you are participating in the study.

​Fees: 
Fees directly support our program costs. Choose the rate that best fits your budget:

• Sponsor rate (supports participation for you and one other): $250
• Sustainer rate (pays for your participation): $150
• Community rate (discounted): $50​

A limited number of full scholarships are available to anyone age 50+ for whom these fees are prohibitive, thanks to a grant from the NextFifty Initiative – inquire at jumpstart@ppmny.org.

Registration for this jumpstart has closed.
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program flyer

program brochure

Be a Champion of Community Health
If your company or organization is interested in sponsoring your community's or employees' participation, or in providing scholarships, read more about community partnership or corporate sponsorship, and contact PPMNY Network Director Lianna Levine Reisner at lianna@ppmny.org.

Presented by

In Partnership With

Sponsored By

​Office of the Brooklyn
​Borough President

About Plant Powered Jumpstarts

Whole food, plant-based nutrition is changing people's health across the country. Plant Powered Metro New York can show you how achievable it is to make dietary change, and how quickly the body responds to whole plant foods, through our intensive Plant Powered Jumpstart experience.

Lasting anywhere from 10 days to a full month, the Plant Powered Jumpstart is designed to support a cohort of people in making a complete dietary transition. We provide nutrition education, mentorship, meal preparation demonstrations, and sometimes even meals or pantry bags. Where possible, before-and-after biometric measurements are taken to show improvements to weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and more.

November 2018 jumpstart in West Harlem

February 2019 jumpstart at Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan

To learn more about jumpstarts, we invite you to watch Nelson Campbell's documentary Plant Pure Nation, or watch this short clip from the movie .

Testimonials

PPMNY mentor Enrica Sacca with a JCC jumpstart participant, February 2019

"I cannot say enough about how well the Jumpstart program was run and how supported I felt to transition to a WFPB diet. Not only was it a lot easier than I expected, but I found a lot of joy and so much delicious flavor in the recipes I tried. In just three weeks, I lost twelve pounds and have physically felt better than I have in a very long time, especially as I've struggled with debilitating long COVID symptoms for over a year and a half."

"I really enjoyed your program because it provided all the tools to make a transition to a healthier lifestyle. The great support, education, wonderful cooking classes  all made a big difference. It really works. I had lab work done after the program and saw an improvement in my lipid profile. Even though they had previously been within the normal range, there was a drop of 10 points. I also lost 5 lbs and am happy to say that I am still following a plant-based lifestyle."

"Just after I completed the 21-Day Plant-Powered Jumpstart, I had a major surgery scheduled. I felt great going into it -- a lot of mental clarity. And I wasn't so scared to have the surgery because I knew I was taking care of my body. My recovery time was really quick. Within two weeks I was ready to get active again. My surgeon was amazed and said she wishes that everyone would eat this way to promote their healing."

"Thank you for bringing this wonderful program to the JCC. I was thrilled to be a Jumpstart participant. I have begun to learn a new language, new food groups, kitchen skills, and delicious recipes, and I got to meet and know new friends. I am impressed by the superb organization and clear, concise flow of information regarding the introduction of this program -- from the handouts to the kitchen demonstrations which started and ended on time! Everyone is so inspiring and supportive, and there is such a joyful camaraderie. I couldn’t be more delighted and grateful, so thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"I think the program was a great success. We felt supported throughout and appreciated our mentors, the webinars, the cooking classes, and all the recipes. I intend to continue with this lifestyle, so I am grateful for your thoughtful and comprehensive jumpstart."

"I thought undertaking the whole food, plant-based lifestyle would be difficult. Instead, I was able to make the transition easily, with no cravings or frustration. I never felt hungry during the 21-day Jumpstart program, nor have I since then. I am content to cook meals and renounce the frequent snacks I used to have."

"Initial labs done last week by my primary physician were really good. It is amazing to see such great progress in such a short period of time."

"The support, education, friendliness provided by the team made the transition easier. Thank you very much."

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Learn More About Our Last Jumpstart!

In February, 2021, PPMNY ran a 21-Day Plant Powered Jumpstart for Black community leaders of Brooklyn. Our health empowerment program helped leaders understand the connection between food and chronic disease and get the support to take a bold step toward lifelong health. Participants learned how to make the shift from a diet based on plants as side dishes, to one where nutrient-rich plant foods take center stage. They discovered how plant-based meals, inspired by African-American culinary traditions, deliver on nutrition and flavor.

Program Eligibility:
This life-changing program was available to those who: 

• Served as a community leader from diverse fields -- whether in an executive role, senior staff person, board member, or entrepreneur -- or were a loved one/close partner of a participating leader.
• Lived or worked in Brooklyn.
• Identify as Black. 
• Were at least 18 years of age at the time of program.

The jumpstart program was part of a study conducted by SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University’s interprofessional team and approved by the University’s Institutional Review Board. Participants were required to take part in assessments administered by a SUNY Downstate researcher and submit information on their health condition and any recent lab results before the program kick-off and once the program ended. The results of the study will be shared in late 2021. 

Program flyer

Program overview

GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY

The Office of Brooklyn Borough President ​Eric Adams

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

IN-KIND DONATIONS BY