Fresh food is something everyone needs but many don’t have access to.

That’s why Shannon Moulan volunteers with Comfort Food Community’s Free Food run, a market-style mobile food pantry serving mostly older adults.

What You Need To Know

  • According to Feeding America, there are many reasons seniors can become food insecure, like health conditions, lack of transportation or living on a fixed income

  • Comfort Food Community’s Free Food run, a market-style mobile food pantry serving mostly older adults, gives out both fresh, free produce and recipes to cook the food they're given

  • According to Feeding America, there were more than 5 million seniors who were food insecure in 2021

“We serve a population has limited mobility or challenges in facing transportation. So it's great because we can bring the food directly to them," says Moulan.

Each week, there’s a new set of free, fresh produce to pick from. People are also provided with recipes to help them cook the food they’re given.

“A lot of them are facing conditions that are improved through proper nutrition. And so they often times need more produce for a balanced diet," Moulan said.

According to Feeding America, there were more than 5 million seniors who were food insecure in 2021. Mary Ann Sprague, one of the seniors who benefits from this program, says another big hurdle is the cost of groceries.

“A lot of the seniors don't have the extra money to buy fresh in the markets. And sometimes the farmer's market. Sometimes there's a lot of high and this helps them out greatly," Sprague said.

The New York State Office for the Aging says there are around 1,000 locations across the state that provide meals and social activities to seniors.