“Behind every empty plate is a story of wisdom, strength, and survival. Our elders should never have to choose between food and dignity.”
The Silent Struggle of Our Elders
Food insecurity among our elders is one of the quietest crises in America. Behind the doors of senior apartments and fixed-income households, millions of older adults face the impossible choice between medication, rent, and food — a choice no one should have to make after a lifetime of work and contribution.
According to Feeding America (2024), more than 5.5 million seniors experience food insecurity in the United States — that’s 1 in 14 older adults. For many, this hunger is compounded by health challenges that food could help prevent or ease. Studies show that older adults who face food insecurity are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and depression (NIH, 2022; CDC, 2023). Malnutrition in later life accelerates physical decline, weakens the immune system, and increases the risk of hospitalization and early mortality.
The Unequal Burden
Seniors of color are hit hardest. USDA (2023) data reveals that Black and Latino elders experience food insecurity at rates two to three times higher than white seniors. This is not simply about access to food; it’s about the structural inequities that dictate who eats and who suffers — inequities born from decades of wage gaps, disinvestment, and discriminatory housing and healthcare systems.
This is not just a food issue; it’s a justice issue.
Feeding Wisdom, Restoring Dignity
At Ebony Tree Farms, we see feeding our elders as an act of restoration and respect. They are the living libraries of our communities — carriers of culture, memory, and resilience. Ensuring their tables are full is about more than food. It’s about honor, healing, and justice.
When we nourish our elders, we preserve wisdom.
When we feed them, we strengthen our collective future.
🌱 A Call to Action
No one should grow old hungry. Yet every day, too many of our elders do.
You can help us change that. Your support allows Ebony Tree Farms to provide culturally relevant, plant-based meals and teach communities how to grow, cook, and share nutritious food that reflects their heritage.
👉 Donate to our Georgia Giving https://lnkd.in/eyJAPqgh and help us ensure that wisdom never goes hungry again.
