I have written before about the value of intergenerational programs at continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs or life plan communities). These programs bring together people of different ages so that younger participants can benefit from seniors’ experience while older adults gain the energy, perspective, and connection that come from engagement with younger generations.
Research from myLifeSite shows strong demand among prospective CCRC residents for community-minded programming. In a recent consumer survey of more than 200 current CCRC prospects, many of the features seniors most want—such as opportunities to use their knowledge, skills, and experience, and programs that help them discover or renew life purpose—are delivered through outreach and community engagement initiatives.
At the core of these successful programs is a CCRC’s ability to create authentic, meaningful connections between residents and the broader community. Seniors want to contribute and share their time and talents; they often just need practical, well-organized outlets for doing so. One CCRC in North Carolina recently launched an innovative program that does exactly that.
>> Related: Everyone Wins: Why Society Must Tap into Seniors’ Experience & Wisdom
The food desert challenge
You may have heard the term “food desert”—areas, often low-income urban neighborhoods or rural regions, where residents have limited access to affordable, nutritious fresh food such as fruits and vegetables. People living in food deserts frequently lack reliable transportation and are forced to rely on convenience stores that typically offer few healthy options.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to improve access to fresh foods in these areas, working to attract supermarkets, support farmers’ markets, and partner with local organizations. While these efforts are valuable, community-level solutions are often the most effective complements to federal programs.
>> Learn more about food deserts
>> View an interactive map of food deserts in the U.S.
Seeing this local need, Aldersgate, a CCRC in Charlotte, recognized an opportunity to both help nearby neighborhoods facing food access challenges and provide purposeful volunteer roles for its residents.
>> Related: Lifelong Learning: Good for Seniors’ Minds & Bodies
An urban oasis
Located on 231 wooded acres just a few miles from downtown Charlotte, Aldersgate offers a full continuum of care and abundant green space. It is the largest contiguous green area in Mecklenburg County. Not far from the campus, however, lie several low-income neighborhoods that meet the USDA’s definition of food deserts.
To respond to this need, Aldersgate partnered with the nonprofit Carolina Farm Trust to create a 6.7-acre working farm on its grounds. The Urban Farm at Aldersgate operates year-round under the trust’s management, growing nutrient-dense staple crops such as cucumbers, kale, spinach, and tomatoes. The initiative was designed both to increase access to fresh produce for nearby communities and to function as an educational resource.
The farm’s produce is sold at affordable prices on-site and will include fresh meat and eggs sourced from nearby farms. It will accept government-issued food vouchers to ensure low-income families can access healthy food options.
Feeding the soul
For Aldersgate residents, the urban farm offers more than improved community nutrition; it creates many meaningful ways to engage and volunteer. Residents can participate in day-to-day farm activities, support monthly farm-to-table dinners that welcome the surrounding community, and help with cooking demonstrations hosted by a mobile kitchen. The farm also functions as a hands-on learning lab for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, giving children a chance to learn how food is grown and where it comes from.
Residents will also directly benefit from the fresh harvest: Aldersgate’s culinary team incorporates the farm’s produce into meals served in the community, letting residents enjoy the tangible results of their volunteer work.
>> Learn more about Urban Farm at Aldersgate.
More CCRCs are exploring creative, outside-the-box programs that connect residents with the communities around them. Initiatives like the Urban Farm at Aldersgate provide seniors with purposeful activity, opportunities for intergenerational engagement, and meaningful contribution—exactly the kinds of programming today’s CCRC prospects say they want. Kudos to Aldersgate for a thoughtful, community-centered approach that benefits residents and neighbors alike.