Senior Nutrition Program Garden continuing to provide food for seniors as demand grows

OXNARD, Calif. – An area backyard has been offering meals to the Ventura County group for years, however the demand has elevated as a result of coronavirus pandemic and hasn’t slowed down.

Many individuals on the Senior Nutrition Program Garden say it’s a labor of affection. 19-year-old Tayahna Agtarap has been volunteering for greater than a 12 months.

“At the start of the pandemic I used to be in search of one thing to do, particularly being locked within the home,” stated Agtarap. “I made a decision to come back and volunteer and I seen that there was so many superb individuals round right here and the entire work that we needed to do is so therapeutic.”

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging created this backyard again in 2007, however throughout the pandemic, meals insecurity for older adults turned a significant concern. The senior vitamin program serves greater than 200,000 meals a 12 months however throughout the COVID-19 disaster, the demand grew to 1.2 million.

“It serves older adults and other people with disabilities all through Ventura County, and people who usually don’t have entry to contemporary fruit and greens,” stated Jannette Jauregui of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging.

The backyard is positioned subsequent to Food Share in Oxnard. It began as an acre of land, however has practically doubled in dimension.

“Right now now we have over 30 types of vegetables and fruit starting from potatoes, carrots, quite a lot of corn, to extra unique stuff like dragon fruit,” stated Christopher Fiorello, supervisor on the Senior Nutrition Garden.

The backyard produces about 1,500 kilos of produce per week. Volunteers preserve and harvest the crops.

“Everyone comes out right here for one purpose and that’s to develop meals and provides it away to people who want it,” stated Fiorello.

COVID-19 case numbers are bettering, however the meal program will not cease.

“It is superb to know that the whole lot that I do right here finally ends up going to different individuals who want it and it’s actually honoring to have the ability to be part of that,” stated Agtarap.

For extra details about the backyard and the best way to volunteer, click here.