Our Farm to Senior program just completed the first of three senior series at sites in Providence. This program takes seniors through a weekly journey of local agriculture through cooking demos, sharing food stories, and Bingo! In addition, seniors enjoyed a freshly prepared local food sample each week. Participants’ favorite activity was our “Cooking on a Budget” lesson, which featured a live cooking demonstration paired with strategies to keep food budgets within their means — without compromising freshness or flavor.
The series concluded with a local foods celebration where together we enjoyed custom-seasoned pierogies filled with sweet potatoes from Schartner Farms in Exeter, carrots from Four Town Farm in Seekonk, and caramelized onions from Cook’s Valley Farm in Wrentham.
Participants at Higher Ground International preferred a spicy flavor profile and added three different types of pepper: cayenne, chili powder, and red chili flakes, whereas the folks at Charlesgate enjoyed a more mild flavor profile of just garlic, salt, and pepper.
So what did the seniors have to say about the program overall?
“I was spending too much on produce when there are healthier and less expensive options.”
“As a result of this program, I am more likely to eat local foods because they have more flavor.”
