O’Connor Hospital, an affiliate of Bassett Healthcare Network, has donates $20,000 in funding to Delaware County Office for the Aging to support a pilot program to deliver fresh local produce to older adults.
In cooperation with Schoharie Valley Farms, Delaware County Office for the Aging and New York Connects – with funding from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) New York – is assembling boxes of fresh produce to deliver to local seniors in need. O’Connor Hospital’s leadership and clinicians, together with Bassett Healthcare Network’s Population Health Department, have been a key part of the project, offering community needs assessment data and outreach support, in addition to funding.
Delaware County Office for the Aging surveyed potential recipients by doing outreach to residents who regularly use Delaware Opportunities Dining Centers either through home-delivered meals or at congregate meal sites. More than 200 residents expressed interest in receiving produce boxes. Funding has supported the allocation of 167 boxes so far, which are being distributed among dining centers. Volunteers at regional dining centers are delivering boxes to community members’ homes.
Delaware County Office for the Aging and NY Connects will continue produce box deliveries through the fall. Schoharie Valley Farms, O’Connor Hospital and Bassett Healthcare Network, Delaware Opportunities Dining Centers, SNAP-Ed New York, and other organizations will continue to collaborate with hopes of expanding the program next spring.
Coordinator of SNAP-Ed at Delaware County Office for the Aging Susan Hammerslag said this is truly a community effort. Ethan Ball of Schoharie Valley Farms, is selecting a variety of produce for deliveries. In the first couple of weeks, sweet corn, potatoes, yellow squash, zucchini, cucumbers, broccoli, tomatoes, garlic scapes, and kohlrabi were delivered.
Learn more about the program and how to get involved by calling 607-832-5747 or email DelCoEatHealthy@gmail.com
