BIL 211 Draft 01 2008-2010 (Part 1, Vol. II)

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AGING AGING Program Highlights (continued) Senior Farmer's Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) 2008 marked the third year that the popular program was administered by the Hawai`i Island Food Bank which was restructured later as Hawai`i Island Food Basket and guided by an independent board of directors and managed by staff independent and separate from Office of Social Ministry. Since 2006, the SFMNP became a permanent program within the United States Department of Agriculture and funds are awarded yearly to the Office of Community Services in the State of Hawai`i Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Seven successful years of implementing the SFMNP in the Big Island were marked with an enduring and productive collaboration among partner agencies which included the Hawaii Island food Bank, Hawai`i County Office of Aging, Hawai`i County Nutrition Program, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Coordinated Services for the Elderly and the ILWU pensioners club. With an annual funding of approximately $250,000, the program provided much needed revenue to the island economy by buying fresh and locally grown produce from island farmers while distributing nutritious and good variety of fresh fruits and vegetables to close to 1,700 qualified senior participants during the summer months of 2008. The estimated value of the produce received by each participant was roughly $149.00 during the 15 -week produce distribution period. Silver Bulletin Newsletter This past contract year marked the ninth year of publishing the Silver Bulletin, a monthly newsletter on and about eldercare services and aging issues. As in previous contract years, the publication continues to deliver newsworthy articles to over 4,100 older individuals assisting readers in making informed decisions as they access needed services. Annually, more than 40,000 copies of the newsletter are printed and distributed to Big Island residents, key health and social organizations, and other community and business establishments. Readership continues to grow, especially among those who are providing informal care to their loved ones. Requests by home bound seniors to receive the publication by mail still continue to increase. As in prior years, the special May edition of the Silver Bulletin featured Older American's Month with highlights from the Older American's Luncheon where several of our older residents in Hawaii County were recognized for the many invaluable contributions they've made to their communities since turning sixty. In addition to regular monthly Senior Profiles of older individuals who have made a difference in our communities, the publication printed articles on caregiving, healthy aging, health screenings, the Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) project, eldercare related legislations, fraud protection, elder abuse education and cooking nutritious food, just to name a few. The Caregiver's corner column of the Silver Bulletin continues to be reported as one of highlights for older individuals, their caregivers and the general public. The Caregiver column is designed to educate, inform and advise individuals on the many complex issues facing today's caregivers and has become instrumental in helping caregivers understand as well as get help on issues surrounding family care giving. 11