Eating Local, Aging Well: Changing Food Environments for Older Adults through Farm to Senior Center Initiatives

The Area Agency on Aging in Portland/ Multnomah County, Oregon is piloting a Farm to Senior Center initiative to improve older adults' access to fresh and affordable produce, promote healthy aging, and connect local farmers and growers with Senior Centers. The Initiative focuses on increasing healthy food options at both senior meal sites and senior centers. Senior meal sites are implementing farm-direct purchasing and procurement. Pilot programs at individual County-contracted senior centers include: a healthy snacks policy; formalized farmers market gleaning projects; garden sharing for senior homeowners; and Senior Center farmstands. Pre and post listening sessions conducted with seniors and community partners identify changes in senior fruit and vegetable consumption, food preference and chronic disease and weight management. These pilot projects provide insight into how other Area Agencies on Aging can support healthier food options and recommend best practices for including seniors in community food security efforts. This Initiative is funded by a Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) grant awarded to the Multnomah County Health Department by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Few CPPW grant recipients address senior food environments and the specific needs of aging populations.