Dallas County Public Health is working with Waukee Area Christian Services, Adel Good Samaritan Food Pantry, SAILDC, HomeCare Services of Dallas County Inc. and local partners to make fresh fruits and vegetables more accessible for older Iowans through the launch of a fresh produce box project.
According to a 2016 survey by Feeding America, nearly 81,000 Iowans age 60 and over are estimated to be “food insecure,” that is, they do not have reliable access to affordable, nutritious food. For many in this age group, the average monthly Social Security benefit of $1,200 is their entire monthly budget.
“As a result, food purchases may be sacrificed for other living expenses, like medication and utilities,” said Jennifer Walters, population health administrator with Dallas County Public Health.
Dallas County Public Health received funding from the Iowa Department of Public Health and SNAP-Ed to plan and coordinate the sourcing and distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables. SNAP-Ed funds may not be used to buy produce, but a majority of produce for the project is being donated by local growers through farmer’s markets and community gardens.
Project coordinators will distribute produce boxes to low-income senior housing, local meal sites, senior centers and in conjunction with home-delivered meals. In its pilot year, produce box teams across the state served approximately 190 older Iowans and produced more than 700 boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables.
If you are interested in donating produce or assisting with produce cleaning, distribution or delivery, or if you would like to learn how to receive produce, contact Amy Short at 515-993-3750.
