NISC Programs of Excellence 

• Year Awarded: 2025
• Programs of Excellence Name: Rock the Crock Senior Workshop Series
• Hosting Organization: Portsmouth Senior Activity Center, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
• Portsmouth Population: 22,733
• 60+ Population: 4,774
• Senior Center Members: 2,061 

About Rock the Crock Senior Workshop Series

Rock the Crock uses local foundation grant funds to host a workshop series where older adults view engaging, hands-on cooking demonstrations that show them how to prepare simple and nutritious meals in a mini crockpot. The program has brought together older adults from the Portsmouth Senior Activity Center, a local food pantry, and Portsmouth New Hampshire Housing residents while also teaching housing residents how to utilize the local transportation program.

Attendees of Rock the Crock workshops are given their own crockpot, a recipe card, ingredients to recreate the meal at home, an apron, and a gift certificate to a local grocery store. Each session starts with a food demonstration by food pantry staff and volunteers, while attendees observe and participate in assisting to make the meal. After the demo, everyone is invited to sit at tables set to enjoy the meal and socialize. This brings together older adults that may not know each other. Directors from each organization share a little about their agency to create awareness of their partnership role in Rock the Crock and explain how each of their programs works with local older adults. 

The program not only helps prevent senior isolation to our homebound housing residents, but it also teaches Senior Activity Center members about both housing opportunities should they need them, how the food pantry operates on a wider scale, and how to use the transportation program. Many Housing Authority residents do not have a vehicle and are therefore the most susceptible to isolation. Part of the grant funds were used to secure $20 transportation vouchers for Housing Authority residents to use the bus system for free when they attend Rock the Crock. 

The Rock the Crock workshops are a fun, interactive opportunity for older adults to get inspired about cooking for themselves. They improve physical health outcomes by providing those who struggle with health challenges and food insecurity with healthy recipes, access to nutritious foods, and information about how to stretch their grocery dollar. In addition, by providing isolated older adults with a place for social interaction and community connection, the program supports positive mental health outcomes.

Key takeaways from Rock the Crock Senior Workshop Series:

• Each workshop has provided a positive and engaging experience where older adults can connect with each other and foster intergenerational friendships with staff and student volunteers at Great Bay Community College.
• At these events, older adults have the opportunity to engage in lively conversation, share tips and modifications to recipes, and develop friendships, all while enjoying a nutritious meal tailored to their dietary needs.
• Many participants do not get out into the community very frequently, and a free outing to an exciting social event may be the highlight of their month.

About Porstmouth Senior Activity Center

The Portsmouth Senior Activity Center provides programs and services designed to promote the social, physical, mental, and overall well being of the communities' senior population.