Starting in 1983, our Older Adult Nutrition program (formerly “Brown Bag Program”) served low-income seniors on fixed incomes who struggle with housing, health care and other costs. In various distribution locations throughout the county, the Foodbank provided a grocery bag of nutritious staple foods, including high-protein items, canned soups, pasta, cereal, eggs, bread and seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables to seniors twice a month. Over 150 volunteers – many of whom are Older Adult Nutrition participants – are essential to the program’s success, helping assemble bags of groceries and making home deliveries.
In January 2021, the Older Adult Nutrition program transitioned to a home delivery service for low-income seniors who are homebound and/or have no social support to pick up food on their behalf. The program continues to provide two bags of groceries and fresh produce each month to seniors facing food insecurity in Santa Barbara County. The program is designed to supplement food budgets and allow seniors to maintain a healthy, independent lifestyle. It is open to all seniors with a maximum income of $2445.96 for individuals and $3311.54 for couples monthly.
To become a participant in the program, please fill out the application at the bottom of the page or reach out to the contacts listed below.
North County Older Adult Nutrition Application
North County Healthcare Provider Form
South County Older Adult Nutrition Application
South County Healthcare Provider Form
Who We Serve
More than a thousand very low-income older people in Santa Barbara County struggle to pay for housing, health care and basic needs on fixed incomes. The average Older Adult Nutrition recipient is a 75-year-old woman living on less than $900 a month. The Older Adult Nutrition home delivery program serves senior participants, who have a doctor’s note verifying that they cannot reach a food distribution location independently, receive groceries and produce by home delivery.
Program Partners
- Golden Village Inn
- Housing Authority County of Santa Barbara
- Community Health Centers
- Dick Deweese Senior Community Center
- Santa Maria Foursquare Church
- Union Plaza
- Casa Grande
- Housing Authority City of Santa Barbara
- Pilgrim Terrace
- Vincents- Villa Caridad
For more information about this program, please contact the following:
North County (Santa Maria, Lompoc, Orcutt, Guadalupe, Santa Ynez, Buellton, Los Alamos, Solvang, New Cuyama):
Monica Buenrostro
South County (Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria):
Edward Colmenares
More Resources for Seniors
Services for Seniors – State of California
Fall Prevention for Seniors
A Guide to Senior Living in Southern California
The Complete Guide to Aging in Place
Find Aging in Place Contractors in California
32 Room-by-Room Home Safety Tips
The Boomer’s Roadmap for Aging in Place: How to Prepare Today for your Senior Years
Older Adults Technology Services
How to Communicate With Older Adults about Food Insecurity and Hunger published by Baylor University’s online MSW program.
Thanks to ElderImpact.org and Baylor University for sharing these resources.