2015 california policy options

How Can HALA Better Meet the Nutritional Needs of Los Angeles’ Older Adults?

In addition to discussing the benefits of Market Match, participants and non‐participants provided suggestions for improving the Market Match program to better meet their needs. Key suggestions included:

Incorporate regular activities and social opportunities. Many older adults felt isolated, and some sought friendship as a central benefit they hoped the farmers’ market program could cultivate in the future. Presently, many older adults “Without food, you cannot make reported they did not know the other shoppers at the friends!” – Market Match farmers’ market, though some came with a relative or a Participant friend. Many older adults lived alone, and explained that their friends and companions had died. Nonparticipants visiting senior centers reported not forming lasting friendships with participants in the centers.

A major recommendation for the program was to provide more social opportunities, such as cooking demonstrations, which were favored by older adults when offered at the East Los Angeles farmers’ market.

Offer nutrition education. Older adults noted a desire to learn more about nutrition. Many wanted to know which foods offer which health benefits and how these could improve symptoms of “TV is an easy way to learn their chronic conditions. Some participants were recipes, but you cannot ask it interested in cooking classes at the farmers’ markets or questions.” – Market Match community centers. Sixteen out of 18 participants Participant wanted additional nutrition education services. Many would have liked recipes, and one participant noted it would be good to provide nutritional benefits of ingredients on recipes. Nonparticipants were also very interested in learning more about nutrition and cooking classes. One nonparticipant described his frustrating experience purchasing a three pound bag of chia seeds for a week’s worth of meals based on an infomercial he had seen describing the health benefits, only to find chia seeds are difficult to digest in large quantities. The opportunity to engage with knowledgeable nutritionists regarding combining and preparing foods was important to older adults.

Increase availability of vouchers and outreach for the program. A few participants were frustrated to have arrived at the farmers’ market too late to obtain vouchers, as the popularity of the program often meant that vouchers would run out in the first half of the day. In those cases, they hoped more vouchers would be provided in the future. Nonparticipants reported they wish they had known about the program sooner, and they wanted to share information

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