MITCHELL – The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, LLC has awarded the IAAAA
Education Institute, Inc a grant for the Connecting Older Hoosiers with Healthful Foods
program. In turn, the Institute has given a grant award to the Area XV Agency on Aging, Hoosier
Uplands Economic Development Corporation.
These grant funds provide weekly fruits and vegetables free to congregate meal recipients at
Cambridge Square and Hauck House Apartments. Enrolled participants in the Produce for Better
Health (PBH) program receive a scale and blood pressure monitor so that they may track their
health metrics throughout the duration of the program. Produce deliveries are conducted weekly
including enough fruits for a 4oz serving every day, as well as enough vegetables for an
additional 4oz serving every day.
The program began in the Spring of 2023 and will continue until the Summer of 2025, with
hopes of renewal. This is the first cycle of the grant funded program, and the goal is to measure
monthly health metrics in each participant. The mission of the program is to provide persons 65
and older, that receive congregate meals from their community housing residence, with healthy
food that will improve their overall diet and quality of life.
Since beginning the program in April of 2023, there have been nearly 50 participants enrolled in
PBH at both facilities. Many of the participants have already noticed a loss in weight and have
become more health conscious, leading to an overall healthier lifestyle.
