Check Out These Senior Food Programs!
During the peak inflation period from 2021- 2022, nearly half of all older households participating in TSCL surveys, 47% of older Americans, reported that they had applied for SNAP (food stamps) or visited a food pantry in the past 12 months. This was over double the number of older Americans who were “food insecure” (about 20%) before 2020.
While that alarming number has come down somewhat, more than 35% continue to report that they have applied for SNAP or visited a food pantry in TSCL’s survey conducted from mid-January through March of 2023.
There are free senior food programs located across the country. Here’s a brief description of some of the most common types according to Feeding America®, the largest hunger-relief organization in the U.S.:
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) — this federal program provides monthly food boxes to people ages 60 and older.
- Senior Food Box Programs — through local food banks, these programs include monthly juice, cereal, canned foods, and refrigerated cheese.
- Senior Food Pantries — allow you to shop for free groceries. Check your local food bank and food pantries for special hours for seniors.
- Home Delivery — available from food banks, food pantries, or your local Meals on Wheels program. There may be specific income or health requirements to qualify.
- Senior Farmer’s Market Programs — These programs may host a farmer’s market or give vouchers to help you buy fresh produce from local farmer’s markets.
- Mobile Food Pantries — bring food to senior centers or other community centers in your area.
- SNAP — provides money each month to buy groceries at your grocery store. Your local food bank and food pantry may be able to help you with a SNAP application.
You can search for your local food bank online by zip code. For more information about Feeding America® and the above programs, visit https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/senior-hunger-facts.
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Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of more than 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations, and over 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries, and meal programs, Feeding America® helped to provide 5.2 billion meals to tens of millions of people in need last year. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.
