Low Income Seniors Benefit When They Receive Horticulture and Nutrition Information in a Combined Program

Many elderly citizens are low-income, at risk of malnutrition, and in need of nutrition-related assistance, yet only a small segment receive it. The Commodity Supplemental Food Program is simple and accessible, and more seniors enroll in it than in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“Food Stamps”). Eat Smart Live Strong was developed to improve seniors’ nutrition and self-efficacy. Participants learn to grow herbs indoors to enhance the palatability of commodity foods, particularly fruits and vegetables. Lessons focus on growing herbs, product dating, food safety, increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, and use of commodity foods in a healthful diet. Plants, seeds, and cuttings are distributed over the course, with recipe demonstrations using herbs and commodity foods accompanying each lesson. Program evaluations assessed comfort with growing plants, as well as improvement in food selection, meal planning and preparation, nutritional health, and personal control. Results showed participants were less likely to discard foods from food packages, less likely to run out before the end of the month, and less likely to avoid items in the commodities package because of health concerns. They also reported eating at least two meals per day with more fruits, vegetables, and milk products. Students reported feeling more in control of their lives and less helpless in dealing with problems after the course.