Addressing Food Insecurity for Seniors in RI
Did you know that food insecurity is a serious problem in Rhode Island?
Feeding America defines food insecurity as “having limited access to enough nutritious food due to a lack of money. Food insecurity is strongly associated with income, but it is not limited to people living in poverty.”
The latest State of Senior Hunger in America report from Feeding America found that about one in 14 seniors (7.1%) in the Providence metropolitan area are food insecure.
The consequences of not having enough access to healthy food are well-researched and can be dire. Seniors experiencing food insecurity are more likely to have chronic health conditions:
- 19% more likely to experience high blood pressure
- 90% more likely to experience asthma
- 233% more likely to experience depression
Recent research from the Tufts Healthy Plan Foundation also found that older women in Rhode Island are more likely to worry about buying food.
On average, nearly a quarter of seniors in Rhode Island have poor access to supermarkets. Poor supermarket access for seniors is highest in New Shoreham and Warren and lowest in Providence and Pawtucket.
Even in areas with more supermarkets, seniors face two particular challenges to actually buying food. Rhode Island Community Food Bank CEO Andrew Schiff explains:
“Many of the seniors experiencing hunger have very limited incomes and reduced mobility, adding to the challenges of acquiring healthy, nutritious food. … If you have no money and no way to travel, how do you get food into your home?”
It’s encouraging that many organizations recognize the food security struggles that Rhode Island seniors face. Those include:
- Be Kind RI – This initiative “seeks to bridge the gap between growing food insecurity, while encouraging more social engagement, happiness and volunteerism in Rhode Island.”
- Meals on Wheels Rhode Island – For more than half a century, Meals on Wheels has helped homebound Rhode Island seniors stay healthy, safe and happy at home.
- Seniors Centers – More than 30 seniors centers throughout the state play an essential role in food security for seniors, offering low-cost or by-donation meals and grocery shuttles. As the end of the pandemic draws near, many are already open or re-opening within the next few months.
- RI Community Food Bank – This organization acquires and distributes more than 11.6 million pounds of food through networks of food pantries, meal programs and more.
If you or a senior in your life struggles to access or afford food, you can call 2-1-1 for assistance in finding support near you.