Food is bound to many of life’s memories, from the collection of fun and bright birthday cakes year-after-year, to the lasting memories of a loved one’s secret home-cooked recipes.
A beautiful memory of mine is when my mom took me to visit my grandma Carmen, “Abuelita Carmen” in Guadalajara, Mexico. She was a proud and busy businesswoman that operated her “tiendita” (little store) from the first story floor of her two-story home. She was petite in stature yet mighty in personality, and always wore a cooking apron. It gave her the efficiency to whip up a meal, wash the laundry, or water the plants consuming her courtyard without missing a beat by having to change her clothes. During that visit, she cooked me a simple plate of garlic butter shrimp with a side of the legendary — yet humble — quesadilla.
I think back to that day, and I see her in my mind’s eye moving through her cozy kitchen. First, I admired how she cared to wash her hands thoroughly to begin peeling the shell off each shrimp. Then, she started the gas stove and listened for a click-click-click that invited a burst of flame that quickly explored the metal stovetop rods. The smell of bubbling butter, sautéed garlic, and warming tortillas filled the room. A sizzling skillet and the flipping and flopping of the melting quesadilla excites my belly thinking about this even now. Finally, Abuelita Carmen shuffled across the cool tile and I listened to mother and daughter catch up in Spanish.
How can we be inspired by older adults that have shown acts of kindness and care for us? I remember an older family member caring for me both when I was sick and when I was hungry with chicken noodle soup for one and chocolate chip cookies when I felt sad.
And speaking of being sad — it breaks my heart to think of older adults, people like my Abuela Carmen, struggling with hunger themselves. That’s why I’m spending a year as a VISTA Member. I am determined to help create a system that allows older adults the freedom to make their own choices while ensuring they have access to help if needed.
We need options that increase the accessibility of whole foods and healthy meals. Sometimes as we age, mobility and balance create a barrier and grocery shopping is challenging. For others, it is the increasing medical expenses that create obstacles. Imagine feeling unsure of whether to use your monthly budget on medicine or food! Everyone–especially older people with existing vulnerabilities–needs equitable access to food. A 2015 Feeding America report says that 63% of households with an older adult report facing the decision between paying for food or medical care.
Finding ways to care for each other, as my Abuelita Carmen did for me, ties us to our community and creates a more equitable future where our friends and family can live a full life. One common barrier that limits older adults from finding food assistance is not knowing how to get help. We can help close this gap by sharing available food resources with older Arizonans who are seeking ways to secure food.
Food is not just a necessity of life; it is also healing, comfort, culture, tradition, connecting with others, the secret family recipe, and the energy needed for everyday choices.
As the Older Adult Programs Coordinator VISTA, I’m going to do my part fighting hunger and helping those with increased food barriers find access to food programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Will you help me normalize and increase the use of food programs like SNAP to help feed hungry older adults in Arizona? It’s easy! Just share this list of food programs and ways low-income older adults can get food assistance.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Apply online: Health-e-Arizona (healthearizonaplus.gov).
Talk with someone about applying or more information: 855-432-7587.
Search for a location near you for help with the application: https://bit.ly/FindSNAPHelp
- Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Search locations near you: www.azfmnp.org
Call for location and program help: 833-836-8253
- Arizona Food Bank Network tool for accessing food banks by zip code:
Get Food – Arizona Food Bank Network (azfoodbanks.org)
- Restaurant Meals Program allows eligible SNAP participants to purchase readymade meals at participating restaurants.
List of Participating Restaurant in Arizona
I am motivated by my work to share the available resources to make sure more Abuelas and Abuelos have all the food they need. We can help build a fairer society by focusing on creating an aging system that secures more food for all.
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