Hunger Task Force Helps Make Healthy Eating More Attainable for Older Adults on a Fixed Income

While kids and adults look forward to the start of summer with excitement and anticipation, an energetic hum permeates through Milwaukee’s senior centers because farmers market vouchers for older adults are almost here.

Available starting in June, the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a federal program facilitated by different agencies throughout the state. Hunger Task Force coordinates the effort to distribute the vouchers in Milwaukee County. Every year, thousands of applications pour in from low-income older adults who wish to receive $25 in vouchers to use at local farmers markets or roadside produce stands. This extra buying power supports local farmers and improves the access older adults have to fresh produce due to high costs of groceries and tight monthly budgets. After the season ends, farmers submit the vouchers they receive to the state for reimbursement for the produce sold to the seniors through this impactful program.

While the farmers market vouchers are an excellent resource, they only provide financial relief for a small part of the year. The minimum FoodShare benefit a household of one or two people can receive is just $24 per month and it’s common for older adults to receive that nominal amount. Given the limited food-related benefits older adults receive, how can Hunger Task Force, and hunger relief organizations across the state, offer meaningful support to help bridge the food security gap?

Hunger Task Force’s network of food pantries, meal sites, Mobile Market stops, community outreach offices and Stockbox distribution sites – representing more than 400 food access points – gives older adults a variety of touchpoints to access the necessary foods to stay nourished and healthy. At Hunger Task Force, we work to connect older adults across Wisconsin with the Stockbox program by partnering with more than 50 food pantries and community resource centers across the state. Additionally, a team of dedicated FoodShare Advocates helps older adults apply for and maintain FoodShare benefits at our two resource centers in Milwaukee County.

Wisconsin’s older adults are some of the first people to feel the effects of fluctuations in cost of living.

“The Stockbox is like the canary in the coal mine. When we talk about food security, I use the Stockbox as a way to help people understand that the need [for Stockboxes] helps give us a full picture of what the community is facing,” shares Courtney Smith, the executive director at the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry.

Funding for and accessibility to programs like Stockbox and The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program are not only needed, but they’re utilized to their fullest potential by some of the most at-risk Wisconsinites. The existence of these programs, and therefore the health of older adults, can be influenced by all of us. Our legislators, leaders and voices help determine how effectively we can support our neighbors and make a difference in how far assistance can go. It’s up to us to keep making summer a season to look forward to and give older adults peace of mind all year long.

Information about The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, including eligibility, can be found here.

Hunger Task Force is Milwaukee’s Free & Local food bank and Wisconsin’s anti-hunger leader. The organization’s core values are Dignity, Justice, Equity, Compassion and Stewardship. Hunger Task Force feeds people today by providing healthy and culturally appropriate food to hungry children, families and seniors in the community absolutely free of charge. Hunger Task Force also works to end future hunger by advocating for strong public policies and nutrition programs at the local, state and federal level.