The Farm to Senior program is a partnership, launched in Franklin County, that aims to provide senior citizens with fresh produce. The organizers of the program are teaming up with the Franklin County Office for the Aging, Association of Senior Citizens and Glazier's Food Service to provide the county's eight senior citizen centers with fresh, locally grown produce.
The agency provides a wide variety of fresh produce such as corn, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, egg plant, beans, peas, beets, melons, peppers and cucumbers.
The dietitian for the county's Office for the Aging orders vegetables based on the agency's nutritional requirement stipulations for residents of senior centers.
The program already feeds as many as 20,000 people through a roster of 40 regional food pantries. The vegetable program in particular has been expanding at a rapid rate.
Seniors' Produce Programs
The Farm to Senior Program Provides Seniors With Fresh Produce
Trend Themes
1. Senior-focused Produce Programs - There's a growing trend in localized food distribution and healthy eating programs for elderly communities.
2. Farm-to-table Health Programs for Seniors - Farm-to-table programs which provide seniors with fresh produce offer an opportunity to connect health and wellbeing.
3. Produce Co-ops for Seniors - Co-operative business models offer a promising option to help seniors access fresh food and build community.
Industry Implications
1. Food Distribution - Inclusive and localized food distribution, especially through the creation of produce co-ops, could promote healthy eating among seniors.
2. Elder Care - Elder care can benefit from adopting nutrition initiatives like the Farm-to-Senior program which can help meet the medication, mental health and social needs of seniors.
3. Community-building - Innovative solutions that foster community building in conjunction with the growth and delivery of high-quality produce to seniors can help tackle food insecurity and isolation.