Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Older New Yorkers
We’ve all heard the saying,
“An apple a day keeps the doctor
away,” reminding us of the large
influence that eating habits
have on overall health. Eating
well can help us lower our risk
of chronic disease, maintain
a healthy weight, and increase
overall health. By the way, it is
true, the fiber and probiotics
in apples promote good gut
bacteria, which may help keep
the doctor away!
Good nutrition is key to
maintaining a healthy lifestyle,
but it’s not always easy or
accessible. Fresh fruits and
vegetables may sometimes be
hard to find or more expensive to
buy, making them unaffordable
for low-income individuals.
To help older adults purchase
fresh fruits and vegetables, the NYC
Department for the Aging (DFTA)’s
annual Senior Farmers’ Market
Nutrition Program provides lowincome
The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program provides
coupons that older New Yorkers can exchange for fresh
fruit and vegetables. Applications for the program are
seniors with access to locally
grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Participants receive coupons that can
be used to purchase locally grown
fruits, vegetables, and fresh cut herbs
for cooking at participating farmers
markets and farm stands.
currently open.
The Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition
Program is federally funded by the Farm
Bill. Not only does the farmers market
nutrition program allow older adults to
purchase nutritious foods, it supports local
farmers. In addition, outdoor farmers
markets and farm stands often allow more
space for social distancing than indoor
grocery stores. Older adults can apply
online through our website, nyc.gov/aging.
Coupon booklets are distributed on a first
come first served basis.
For older adults in need of
supplemental meals, the City
continues to deliver emergency
meals through the City’s
GetFoodNYC initiative, which
continues enrollment for older
adults during the pandemic .
In addition to eating well, older
New Yorkers should continue
to stay active to maintain their
overall health. While congregate
centers remained closed due
to the pandemic, classes and
workshops continue to be offered
virtually. Many of the classes
offered online include fitness
and exercise classes designed
for older adults. Some of the
virtual classes offered include
chair yoga and Zumba and are
hosted on video conferencing
platforms like Zoom. To find virtual
programs, call you local senior center for
a schedule of activities. DFTA partner,
Older Adult Technology Services (OATS)
also provides online virtual programs
through their website seniorplanet.org.
Connecting individuals with healthy
food and fitness options is essential to
DFTA’s mission of ensuring quality of life
for older New Yorkers. As we continue
providing programs and services that help
older New Yorkers age within in their
communities and their homes, healthy
eating and an active lifestyle plays an
important role in overall wellness.
To learn more about virtual programs
or to apply for the Senior Farmers’ Market
Program, call Aging Connect at (212)
244-6469. You can also DFTA’s website,
nyc.gov/aging, to fill an online application
for the Seniors Farmers’ Market Program.
NYC Department for the
Aging Commissioner
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
Schneps Media July 23, 2020 9
/aging
/aging
/seniorplanet.org
