(Des Moines) U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) introduced bipartisan legislation to break down barriers to food access for low-income seniors living in rural communities.
The Delivering for Rural Seniors Act, co-led by U.S. Representative Jasmin Crockett (TX-30), will expand home delivery options for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), ensuring more seniors can receive the nutritious food they need.
Access to healthy, nutritious food is essential for seniors. CSFP is a discretionary food assistance program that provides monthly food boxes to roughly 760,000 eligible low-income seniors 60 years or older. Unfortunately, many eligible for CSFP face mobility and transportation barriers that make it nearly impossible to obtain food provided by the program if required to travel to another location. In fact, more than 100,000 eligible seniors do not participate in the program—often because they cannot travel to food distribution locations. Home delivery of CSFP food boxes has shown to be a powerful tool in breaking down barriers to access for participants and increasing participation for eligible seniors.
Rep. Nunn introduced the bipartisan Delivering for Rural Seniors Act in Des Moines at Polk County Supplemental Food.