Nutrition Consortium Logo
 
Dear Senior Nutrition Assistance Programs Network Member,
  

We are in the final count down. The Nutrition Consortium of New York State is changing its name to better reflect our mission. What will it be? Stay tuned! The new name will be announced on June 28th. 
New Outreach with Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
New York's Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is gearing up for this year's season. Very soon, participating seniors around the state will receive their coupon booklet redeemable for $20 of fresh fruits and vegetables at hundreds of farmers' markets.

 

As these seniors are also income eligible for monthly food stamp benefits, the Nutrition Consortium worked in partnership with the NYS Dept. of Agriculture & Markets to create and distribute targeted promotional flyers. All upstate SFMNP participants will get a pocket-sized flyer when they receive their coupon booklet. The two types of pocket flyers lead seniors to their local Nutrition Outreach and Education Program or to the NYS MyBenefits.ny.gov website for further assistance.

 

Only about half of the the million older New Yorkers who are potentially eligible currently receive monthly food stamp benefits.
More Farmers' Markets Accept EBT  
SFMNP older women

Last year more than 180 NY Farmers' Markets accepted the EBT card to redeem food stamp benefits as payment for fresh, locally grown food items. This season, even more markets will be joining this initiative launched by the New York Farmers Market Federation, the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the NYS Dept. of Agriculture & Markets.

  
To help increase awareness of this opportunity, a new website provides many resources and tools. 
Visit www.snaptomarket.com for the following:
Older Americans Act 2011 

 

The Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA) provides an ideal opportunity for Congress to ensure that the Aging Network can meet the needs of the current and future populations of older adults and their caregivers, including nutritious congregate meals and home delivered meals.

 

Since its inception in 1965, the OAA has evolved to meet the changing needs and expectations of an aging America and consequently the scope of the Act has expanded to better address and support the needs of older adults and their caregivers. Over the next 20 years, the proportion of the U.S. population over age 60 will dramatically increase, representing one in every five Americans.

 

Adequate nutrition plays a key role in keeping older adults healthy and independent in their community. Learn more to help promote the health and well-being of older adults and valuable nutrition assistance programs.

New Report
Addresses Hunger
Among Older Adults

AARP recently released a report with the Nutrition Consortium and other groups: Older Adult Food Insecurity: Framing the Issue in New York State. This report outlines state policy changes that need to occur to improve access to food stamps and other food assistance and nutrition programs for older adults in New York State. The Nutrition Consortium spoke at the press conference releasing the report. Visit our Hunger Headlines Blog for more.

Connect Older Adults with Food Help

Nutrition assistance programs are an excellent investment in health and well-being, allowing older adults to remain active in their home and community.

  

As our nation's primary nutrition assistance program, the Food Stamp Program is available to all who are eligible. In fact, monthly benefits effectively serve and are essential to the nutrition and well-being of one in seven people in our nation and also provide an economic stimulus that strengthens communities. We invite you to use many new and refreshed template outreach materials now available in the Senior Nutrition Center.

 

SR Lady shopping cart

Stop the Slashing: A Guide for the Budget Perplexed

The Nutrition Consortium, along with over 500 human service providers across the nation, recently participated in a webinar sponsored by the Coalition on Human Needs (CHN) focusing on federal budget proposals that drastically cut programs for low-income people.

 

CHN is asking community organizations to act as "real world reporters," sharing the realistic dangers of these budget proposals and translating them into understandable human terms.  

 

 Become a "real world reporter" on behalf of older adults in your community. Below find the webinar, handouts, a guide and other tools and resources. 

 

Stop the Slashing Webinar (6/7/11):

Overview Page 

Audio presentation 

Handouts 

 

Additional Resources: 

Budget Advocacy Guide