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Community and Public Health Nutrition (Poster Session)

(P02-089-25) Bridging the Gap: A Hospital-Farm Partnership Improves Food Access for Vulnerable Older Adults

Saturday, May 31, 2025
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM ET
Location: Poster Board C-81
Disclosure(s):
Esi Quaidoo, MPhil., RDN, LDN: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Lisa M. M. Troy, PhD: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives: To assess the influence of a hospital-farm partnership Farmers’ Market Program (FMP) on food access among older adult participants.

Methods: At the end of the 2024 FMP season, participants completed self-administered surveys including questions on demographics, fruit and vegetable (F/V) access, intake, quality, and variety, and food-related behaviors.

Results: Among survey respondents (n = 123 participants), most were female (75%), Caucasian (83%), had at least one chronic disease (60%) and around half lived alone (51%). Following FMP participation, respondents reported improvements in fruit and vegetable (F/V) access (89%), quantity (81%), quality (84%), and variety (85%) compared to before the program. The most vulnerable participants aged 70 years and older experienced greater improvements in F/V access (72% vs. 16%), quantity (67% vs. 37%), quality (71% vs. 13%), and variety (71% vs. 13%) compared to those below 70 years (age range 61-96 years). Participants with one or more chronic diseases experienced greater improvements in access (58% vs. 31%), quantity (56% vs. 24%), quality (57% vs. 27%), and variety (59% vs. 26%) compared to those without chronic conditions. Those who lived alone and those who lived with others similarly reported improved access (44% vs. 45%), quantity (38% vs. 44%), quality (38% vs. 46%), and variety (40% vs. 46%). Respondents with incomes above $30,000 reported similar improvements in access (43% vs. 44%), quantity (38% vs. 42%), quality (42% vs. 41%), and variety (39% vs. 43%) as those with incomes of $30,000 or less.

Conclusions: The FMP improved fruit and vegetable access, quantity, quality, and variety for older adults. While improvements were observed across both income categories and living arrangements, the program demonstrated its greatest impact among participants aged 70 and older and those with chronic diseases making it a valuable food intervention program within the community.

Funding Sources: UMass Amherst, USDA NIFA MAS00577