City Harvest Programs » Nutrition Education
Seniors
Often unable to work and/or coping with medical problems, seniors are one of the most vulnerable populations that City Harvest serves. Many seniors have to make tough choices about how to use dwindling resources and to stretch their money to last an unpredictable amount of time. About 12% of New York City residents who access emergency food programs are seniors. According to the report, Growing Old in New York City from the Council of Senior Centers and Services, close to 20% or one out of every five seniors in New York City lives in poverty – almost double the national average.
Many seniors live alone, sometimes after many years of living with others and sharing meals with others, which is a contributing factor to their vulnerability to food insecurity. Many seniors do not eat well simply because they miss the social aspect of eating. Research by the Nutrition Consortium of New York State has shown that for every dollar spent on elderly nutrition, a minimum of $3.25 is saved in health care costs. Hospital stays happen less frequently and are shorter in duration if a senior eats nutritious meals.
Projects
• Well Seasoned
Well Seasoned
City Harvest designed Well Seasoned to increase food security and positively impact nutrition and health status of senior citizens living in New York City. This two-part program for elderly adults begins with an eight-week course focused around basic nutrition, disease management, cooking, and financial management, then continues with ongoing cooking clubs held in senior centers and facilitated by senior center staff.
On Tuesday… the seniors started their third meeting for the nutrition cooking program. The name of the recipe came straight out of the book -- it is called ‘Healthy Turley Meatloaf,’ and believe me, it was healthy! The seniors from Highbridge Garden Senior Center really appreciate the gift that City Harvest has given them and look forward to the weeks to come.
– Director of Highbridge Gardens Seniors Center
Funds for Well Seasoned have been provided by:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, Inc.
New York City Council
