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Community Foodworks (2019) Print
2019 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Community Health and Economic Empowerment
└ Addressing community health
└ Addressing community health
Community Foodworks, a farmers market advocacy group, wanted to make the outdoor market experience more palatable and accessible for older adults. Farmers markets provide social connectedness for older adults, as well as an opportunity to access healthy, local food. CFW's markets also provide matching dollars and vouchers to locals receiving federal nutrition assistance, but recipients must wait in line for this assistance. Older adults often have trouble standing for long periods in line, especially in inclement weather. To increase market visitors' comfort, CFW created Rest Rehydration stations at three markets, which included shade tents, tables, seating, water and music.
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Fullerton, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Addressing community health
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Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Tulsa, OK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Addressing community health
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Springfield, IL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: A new online order system and optional curbside pickup at Springfield's Old Capitol Farmers Market reduced shoppers' risk of COVID-19 exposure. The improvements ensured that older adults and SNAP users could access fresh and healthy food from the popular market. Downtown Springfield Inc. replaced SNAP tokens with Healthy Ways scannable cards, which limit the need for physical contact at checkout. Following the change, the market saw an increase in SNAP transactions. In addition, more than 150 community members took advantage of the curbside option, which reduced in-person foot traffic and provided a safe shopping alternative to those most at risk.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
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AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
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Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
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