In recent years, the focus of Federal health policy has begun to place greater emphasis on disease prevention – that is, ensuring that all older adults consume diets that are consistent with the public health recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and in the Food Guide Pyramid. Increasing access to affordable, local fruits and vegetables through a specifically designed Seniors Farmers’ Market would increase daily consumption of nutrients that our seniors are so plainly deficient in.
The USDA calls for “Aggressive nutrition promotion programs that need to be built into the food assistance and nutrition programs to increase the likelihood of sustained effectiveness.” Master’s Table Farm Market pilot project is a new paradigm of education weaving social marketing and attention to behavioral economics into the development of nutrition promotion programming.
For more information, please reference the following reports provided by
Emily Brooks and the EA Alliance:
Understanding the Aging Population in Connecticut: A Data and Census Report
Understanding the Dietary Habits of the Aging Population
Understanding the Need for Master’s Table Farm Market Programming in Connecticut
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans
The Connecticut Local Crop Calendar, Product Availability, & Health
Vitamin & Mineral Content in Local Foods
The Role of Agriculture in Preserving Open Space, A Case Study of the Pomperaug River Watershed
BRIDGES & The Master's Table Farm Market pilot project
were visited by JABA, the Jefferson Area Board for Aging in Virginia. Our pilot project was studied and, among other Connecticut programs, highlighted by JABA's Community Food System Project's recent report. Read About the Jefferson Area Board for Aging's recent report studying local commmunity food networks, local foods, and prommoting better health, nutrition and social activity for Seniors as an integral part of teh local food network.