Eaton Senior Communities provides affordable housing for people over the age of 62 along with an on-site food program and dining room. In 2016, Eaton launched the Eaton Healthy food truck to address food insecurity among low-income seniors living in other affordable housing projects.

While the truck took a hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, Eaton is now ramping up for the 2022 season and is excited to promote nutritional security. Eaton has taken the food truck out up to once per month to serve low-income older adults free meals and served nearly 1,000 free meals to low-income seniors. At these food truck visits, Eaton also partners with additional organizations such as HungerFree Colorado (to promote SNAP enrollment), GoFarm (a mobile farmer’s market that accepts food stamps), and We Don’t Waste (to distribute rescued food). 

Nutritional insecurity is one of the leading causes of hospitalizations for older adults. By providing meals, SNAP enrollment, and healthy produce, Eaton Healthy can help prevent unnecessary hospitalizations for low-income residents residing in affordable housing. Preventing unnecessary hospitalizations has ripple effects including saving Medicare dollars, improved quality of life, and greater community satisfaction.