An older person and a volunteer at an Innovation Youth Solidarity Market
Luca, an older adult in Montreal, Quebec, is known for his warmth and kindness, but he often feels isolated. His specific dietary needs — avoiding sugar, processed fats, and most carbohydrates — add an extra layer of challenge to his routine. Fortunately, Luca lives in one of the buildings served by Innovation Youth’s mobile markets. Twice a month, Innovation Youth’s food security program, Innovation Assistance, hosts solidarity markets in the Peter-McGill district to provide high-quality, affordable food to older people in the community.
These markets bring nutritious options right to the neighbourhood and operate on a tiered pricing model, so that everyone can access the foods they need at a price they can afford.
The program also offers food transformation sessions, where participants can build foundational cooking skills as part of a community of home cooks.
There are lots of volunteer opportunities stemming from Innovation Assistance, which bridges the generational divide and brings together younger and older people alike who are passionate about food security.
For Luca, these markets have been a lifeline. Being able to choose healthy foods that meet his dietary restrictions has eased the financial pressure of living on a fixed income. More importantly, though, seeing friendly faces and chatting with others at the markets has made Luca feel valued and connected.
Stories like Luca’s are why supporting local communities is more important now than ever before. A donation of as little as $20.00 today can help us reach even more older people with programs and services tailored to their needs, right in the heart of their own communities.
Will you join us in helping even more older adults across Canada and around the world thrive?
To learn more about Age Better and find out how you can support community initiatives for older people from coast to coast to coast, please visit our program page. Age Better is offered with the generous contributions of our Founding Program Partner.