The Fresh Produce Program was developed in direct response to feedback from our Meals on Wheels clients. While clients consistently tell us they enjoy our meals, many have also shared that the rising cost of groceries makes it increasingly difficult to regularly purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. For seniors living alone, fresh produce is often sold in quantities that are too large for one person, making it both costly and potentially wasteful.
Through the Fresh Produce Program, Community Care for Central Hastings purchases fresh fruits and vegetables in bulk and divides them into smaller, affordable bags. This allows seniors to access a variety of nutritious fresh produce in quantities that are more appropriate for one or two people while helping to keep the cost manageable for those living on fixed incomes.
The program complements our existing hot and frozen Meals on Wheels services by providing seniors with greater choice and helping address food insecurity and barriers to accessing nutritious food in our rural communities.
Ultimately, the Fresh Produce Program is about more than providing fruits and vegetables. It is another practical way we can support seniors to maintain their health and independence and continue living safely in their own homes and communities.
This program is important to our community because many of the seniors we serve are living on fixed incomes and are facing increasing food costs. Access to affordable, nutritious food can have a significant impact on their health, well-being, and ability to remain independent in their own homes.
For seniors living alone, purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables can also be challenging because produce is often sold in quantities that are too large, which can lead to food waste and added expense. Our Fresh Produce Program responds directly to feedback from our clients by providing smaller quantities of fresh produce at an affordable cost.
Combined with our hot and frozen Meals on Wheels options, the program gives seniors greater choice and access to nutritious food while also providing regular connection with our staff and volunteers. Ultimately, the program supports what our clients tell us matters most to them: remaining healthy, connected, and independent in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Click here to show your support!