Funding Will Bolster Groceries for Seniors Initiative, Delivering Nutritious Food and Education to Low-Income Older Adults Across the County

(LAKE WORTH, FLA) – The Palm Beach County Food Bank (PBCFB) has received a $75,000 grant from Quantum Foundation in support of its Groceries for Seniors program, part of the Food Bank’s broader Senior Hunger Initiatives umbrella program, designed to address the unique nutritional challenges faced by low-income older adults throughout the county.

With approximately 192,000 food-insecure residents throughout Palm Beach County, the Palm Beach County Food Bank (PBCFB) procures food from grocery stores, farmers, food distributors, wholesalers and other sources and distributes it to over 200 local community partners, including food pantries, soup kitchens and schools. During 2025, PBCFB distributed over 10.6 million meals to over 194,000 residents experiencing hunger. The Food Bank has been honored with several accolades, including the Chamber of the Palm Beaches Health and Human Services Organization of the Year and the Community Collaborator Award at the 8th Annual Nonprofits First Hats Off Awards.

Through the Groceries for Seniors program, the Food Bank will routinely distribute containers of healthy, shelf-stable groceries, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy and protein to seniors throughout the year. Each container holds 13.5 pounds of nourishing food, the equivalent of 11.25 meals, and is tailored to meet the nutritional needs of older adults, including low-sodium and low-sugar products, whole grains and dried beans. Food selections are guided by MyPlate for Older Adults, a framework developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"Many older adults in Palm Beach County are living on fixed incomes and facing difficult decisions every day," said Jamie Kendall, CEO of the Palm Beach County Food Bank. "As housing costs, homeowners association fees, insurance premiums, utilities and other essential expenses continue to rise, far too many seniors are forced to choose between paying bills and putting healthy food on the table. We are grateful to Quantum Foundation for its generous investment, which will help us provide nutritious food, nutrition education and additional support to older adults so they can live healthier, more secure lives."

Food is delivered to partner agencies where seniors live, congregate and receive medical care. Most sites receive deliveries every other week. The program is designed with older adults in mind, accounting for food preferences, digestive needs, transportation and mobility limitations, and varying levels of technology access. For seniors unable to collect food on their own, agency staff bring the food directly to them.

In addition to food distribution, the program offers cooking demonstrations at the Palm Beach County Food Bank’s Michelle Hagerty Community Kitchen, where a chef prepares senior-friendly, easy-to-make dishes. Participants can sample the food, ask the chef questions and take home a bag of ingredients and a recipe card. Transportation from local senior centers is provided to encourage attendance.

The Quantum Foundation grant will also help advance plans for onsite nutrition education sessions led by a registered dietitian, an expansion requested by partner agencies. Research shows that consistently eating a varied diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help seniors improve their physical and mental well-being and remain healthy longer.

Quantum Foundation’s mission is to inspire and fund initiatives that improve the health of Palm Beach County residents. The health foundation was formed from $125 million in proceeds from the sale of JFK Medical Center. Now in its third decade of community investment, the foundation has assets of approximately $172 million. Since its inception, Quantum Foundation has awarded $184 million to hundreds of Palm Beach County nonprofit grantees. Every dollar the foundation grants stays in the county to benefit local communities.

Seniors interested in participating in the Groceries for Seniors program, as well as caregivers and community partners seeking additional information, can learn more, view participating distribution sites and determine eligibility by visiting www.pbcfoodbank.org/senior-hunger-initiatives.

For more information about the Palm Beach County Food Bank, to volunteer or make a donation, please visit www.pbcfoodbank.org or call 561-670-2518.

###