Seniors Receive Fresh Produce Courtesy of Morris County
Sadly, our senior citizens aren’t always thought of or remembered. We should be caring for them and helping them when we can. Thankfully a great partnership/program is in place to help them with fresh produce….and that’s a cool thing.
It’s a partnership in its third year between Morris Count Nutrition Program and Ort Farms. They’re getting seniors fresh produce delivered this summer through a farm-to-table, pilot program!
How does it work? Residents of Butler Senior Housing and Jefferson Chase can place orders for prepackaged produce from Ort Farms, based in Long Valley. The packages of produce are put together carefully and are then picked up by the Nutrition Program staff of Morris County to be distributed.
“Historically, the program (SFMNP) has been running for many years, but the farm-to-table pilot program was first launched in 2021 in response to the pandemic’s impact on seniors’ ability to leave their residences.
Morris County partnered with Ort Farms in 2021 where the vouchers were still administered, and seniors were given the option to have the county coordinate delivery. The program proved successful and has continued, with a few changes to this year’s program,” said Christine Hellyer, director of the Morris County Division on Aging, Disabilities and Community Programming.
This season, a total of 72 bags of produce will be delivered to seniors living in two senior housing units. For the first 36 deliveries made, seniors received bags containing blueberries, peaches, string beans, potatoes, tomatoes, sweet corn and cantaloupe. A second delivery of seasonal fruits and vegetables is scheduled for September.
Also, every senior who pre-registered for a produce bag received an indoor sprout blossom kit with the produce. The sprout blossom kit contains mixed herbs that grow under sunlight and can easily be adhered to windows and walls. This was to encourage participation in the program.
For more information and income guidelines to qualify for the Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program, visit the Official Website of Morris County, NJ.
For more information, read the full article here.
Whip Up Deliciousness In A Flash: 7 Cheap Meals On The Fly
Spaghetti
Cook up some spaghetti noodles and top them with a simple tomato sauce made from canned tomatoes, garlic, onions, and herbs. Add grated cheese if desired. Another option is to prepare spaghetti squash noodles and pair them with a flavorful pesto sauce made from basil or spinach, as an alternative to traditional spaghetti with tomato sauce. Cook the spaghetti squash and scrape out the noodle-like strands. Then, toss them with a homemade pesto sauce consisting of fresh herbs, garlic, nuts, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese.
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Vegetable Stir-Fry
Serve it over rice or noodles for a delicious budget-friendly meal. Simply stir-fry a mix of bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, and onions with soy sauce and a touch of honey or brown sugar.
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Bean Burritos
Bean burritos are a fantastic and budget-friendly option for a quick meal. Just fill tortillas with canned beans like black beans or pinto beans, rice, cheese, salsa, and any other desired toppings. Roll them up and heat them in the oven or on a stovetop skillet for a delicious treat. The best part is that tortillas, beans, rice, cheese, and salsa can be used for multiple meals, making it both convenient and economical.
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Nachos
Remember those extra ingredients from the bean burritos? Well, take the beans, rice, cheese, and salsa and make a nacho. Just grab a bag of tortilla chips and spread them on a baking sheet. Sprinkle on shredded cheese, canned beans, sliced jalapeños, diced tomatoes, and chopped green onions. Pop them in the oven until the cheese melts and the nachos are heated through. Top with sour cream, salsa, or guacamole if you like.
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Baked Potatoes With Toppings:
This meal is super easy to put together when you’re in a time and budget crunch. Bake some potatoes and top them with your favorite ingredients like sour cream, grated cheese, bacon bits, chives, or any other toppings you love.
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Fancy Grilled Cheese
Start with your favorite bread slices and spread butter on one side. On the other side, spread a thin layer of mayo. Sprinkle shredded cheese on the mayo side and add any extras like caramelized onions, spinach, peppers, bacon, or your other favorite toppings. Sandwich it all together and grill it up until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden.
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Flatbread
Many grocery stores offer affordable and delicious pre-made flatbreads that you can use. Just look for brands that fit in your budget. You typically can find these in the bread or bakery section of the store, or even the freezer section. Get creative with your toppings to transform your store-bought flatbread into a delicious and affordable meal! Whether it’s sautéed mushrooms, colorful peppers, or a variety of cheeses, the choice is yours. You can also experiment with different sauces like tomato sauce, white sauce, or even a drizzle of olive oil to enhance the flavors.
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