On the third Wednesday of each month, Yvonne is already looking forward to what’s ahead.
She knows she will be visiting the Capital Area Food Bank’s Silver Market at the United Community Organization Petey Greene Community Service Center. It’s a steady rhythm in her month and a meaningful part of her routine.
When she arrives to the market, she checks in for her prescheduled time slot and chats amicably with others as she waits. When it’s time, she moves through the farmers market–style distribution, taking in the familiar setup. The quality stands out to her every time, and what resonates most is that it is free food she trusts to support her health.
“I’ve been coming to the Silver Market for over a year, and it allows me to come and get very fresh, off the farm, produce and it enables me to live a healthier life.”
As a senior, Yvonne understands the connection between what she eats and how she feels. Living on a fixed income in Washington, DC’s Ward 8, she is constantly balancing competing essentials. Rent, utilities, and rising household costs come first, leaving little room for food. Even with SNAP assistance, the support is limited. Today, she receives about $30 per month, a sharp contrast from the $250 she received during the pandemic.
“It’s not enough,” she explains, especially when it comes to fresh produce.
That gap is what makes the Silver Market so important. It is not just a food distribution. It is a place where she can choose what she wants, rely on the quality, and leave with food that supports her well-being.
The Silver Market is an indoor farmers market–style distribution tailored specifically for older adults. It provides income-eligible seniors with high-quality fresh produce in a convenient and accessible setting. It also brings in additional partners offering wraparound services such as utility assistance and healthcare resources.
Yvonne has been attending for about a year, and in that time, it has become more than a monthly stop. She encourages neighbors to come with her, turning the visit into a shared community experience. The market has become a meeting place where people talk, compare recipes, and stay connected.
She often highlights the seasonal rotation of fruits and vegetables, which keeps meals varied and introduces new ingredients throughout the year. The food, she says, helps her eat better and feel better.
The food bank’s Nutrition Education team is on site each month, offering recipes and samplings that use ingredients included in that day’s market. These demonstrations help seniors learn new ways to prepare both familiar staples and less familiar foods. Yvonne uses these recipes regularly and values the chance to learn different ways of cooking what she brings home.
As the Capital Area Food Bank continues to expand Silver Markets to additional locations, the goal remains focused on improving access to healthy food for seniors while recognizing that well-being also comes from choice, dignity, and connection.