$20k in local produce distributed to low-income seniors in Las Vegas

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) and Three Square Food Bank of Las Vegas teamed up on Tuesday, Oct. 11 to provide fresh, Nevada-grown produce to 692 food-insecure seniors in Las Vegas.

“Through the USDA Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, we provided 5,203 coupon booklets, valued at $30 each, to improve food-insecure seniors’ access to fresh, local produce statewide,” Donnell Barton, administrator of the NDA’s Food and Nutrition Division, said. “With excess funds, we were pleased to be able to put an additional $20,000 toward this bulk buy.”

The $20,000 was used to purchase 15,000 pounds of Nevada-grown produce, including tomatoes, onions, potatoes, squash, eggplant, peppers, carrots, cucumbers, yams, garlic, peaches, pears and apples. In addition, 9,984 ounces of local honey was purchased, and the NDA partnered with Three Square of Las Vegas to distributed the items through their Senior Share program.

“It’s very important that we give seniors access not only to food, but to healthy food so they are able to follow dietary plans from their doctors,” Dorian Stonebarger, Three Square Programs Director, said. “They are often forced to choose between purchasing healthy foods and medication, so it’s important for us to provide access to those healthy foods.”

Three Square’s Senior share program provides food-insecure seniors living with chronic conditions healthy supplemental groceries including fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, improving the quality of live for one of the community’s most vulnerable populations.

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) promotes a business climate that is fair, economically viable and encourages environmental stewardship that serves to protect food, fiber and human health and safety through effective service and education. NDA includes the divisions of Administration, Animal Industry, Consumer Equitability, Food and Nutrition and Plant Industry. 

Three Square is southern Nevada’s only food bank providing food assistance to the residents of Lincoln, Nye, Esmeralda and Clark Counties. Three Square’s mission is to provide wholesome food to hungry people, while passionately pursuing a hunger-free community.