Aug 3, 2024 | Care givers, Diabetes, Food Programs, In the spotlight

                                                                            

ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE AND BHHS LEGACY FOUNDATION BOOST DIANA GREGORY OUTREACH SERVICES WITH NEW VAN 

New Van

New Refrigerated Van Delivers More Produce to More Seniors in Greater Phoenix Area 

  (PHOENIX, Date) – Through a joint sponsorship of Arizona Public Service (APS) and BHHS Legacy Foundation, Diana Gregory Outreach Services (DGOS), a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to enrich lives through healthy eating,” received a new refrigerated van. The van allows DGOS to build capacity by adding additional independent senior living locations to its service area.

“Our foundation is happy to donate the refrigerated van to Diana Gregory Outreach Services,” said Jerry Wissink, CEO, BHHS Legacy Foundation. “Their mission to promote healthy eating practices ties in well with our goal of supporting nonprofit organizations committed to providing care and services to underserved members of our community.”

“We are honored to stand beside Diana Gregory Outreach Services in their unwavering commitment to nourish our seniors and veterans with wholesome meals,” expressed Ted Geisler, President of APS. “Their tireless efforts have touched countless lives within our community. We are proud to help further their impact with a new refrigerated van, enabling them to extend their reach and touch the hearts of even more individuals in need.”

Now in its 15 th year, DGOS has steadily expanded its service network to provide healthy eating options to more seniors and veterans. Over the last year, DGOS has delivered 400,000 pounds of fresh produce to more than 20,000 low-income and underserved seniors and veterans.

“We’re extremely grateful for the incredible generosity demonstrated by Arizona Public Service and the BHHS Legacy Foundation,” said Diana Gregory, CEO of DGOS. “The extra refrigerated van allows us to expand our capacity in several important ways. In addition to providing the much-needed fresh fruits and vegetables, our volunteers are excited to make those important relational connections with our seniors and veterans, making them feel less isolated and more cared for as fellow neighbors and friends in the Greater Phoenix community.”

Throughout the United States, food waste is a major problem. According to government statistics, nearly $200 billion worth of food goes to waste each year, making it more frustrating since more than 40 million people today struggle with hunger and experience food insecurity. DGOS works to counter this: “We have a responsibility to ensure no senior and their families in our community go to bed hungry.”

REFRIGERATED FOOD TRAILER BOOST FOOD DISTRIBUTION SERVICES TO SENIORS, VETS IN GREATER PHOENIX COMMUNITY

REFRIGERATED FOOD TRAILER BOOST FOOD DISTRIBUTION SERVICES TO SENIORS, VETS IN GREATER PHOENIX COMMUNITY

Oct 5, 2022 | Food Programs, Partners

REFRIGERATED FOOD TRAILER BOOST FOOD DISTRIBUTION SERVICES TO SENIORS, VETS IN GREATER PHOENIX COMMUNITY

In the Greater Phoenix area and, in fact, throughout the United States, food waste is a major
problem. According to government statistics, nearly $200 billion of food goes to waste each year in the
U.S. The problem is made even more frustrating when considering that more than 40 million people
today struggle with hunger and experience food insecurity.

To combat the problem of food waste while helping to eliminate food insecurity for seniors and
vets living in the Greater Phoenix area, Diana Gregory Outreach Services (DGOS) acquired a refrigerated
food trailer, donated by the BHHS Legacy Foundation, an organization committed to maintaining
healthcare services for children, seniors, and families in the Greater Phoenix and Tri-State region. The 6’
x 16’ trailer is manufactured by Polar King Mobile, a company with more than 40 years of experience
creating refrigerated trailer solutions.

“The coronavirus pandemic has aggravated the food insecurity crisis in this region to new levels of
concern,” said Diana Gregory, CEO of DGOS. “Transport refrigeration strengthens our efforts to fight
food insecurity by giving us the capability to store and deliver more food. We are grateful to the BHHS
Legacy Foundation for its donation which helps us expand and improve our services to more residents in
the community.”

The mission of Diana Gregory Outreach Services is to enrich lives through healthy eating by
providing access to fresh produce for low-income seniors, veterans, and vulnerable individuals in the
Greater Phoenix community who are experiencing health disparities. The impactful programs and
services are focused on holistic health, nutrition, and fitness through on-site farmers’ markets and
educational programs. Their stated purpose: “We have a responsibility to ensure no senior and their
families in our community go to bed hungry.”

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We celebrate this man of wonder, George Washington Carver

We celebrate this man of wonder, George Washington Carver

Feb 21, 2022 | Food Programs, Fresh Foods, Gardening, healthy eating

We celebrate this man of wonder, George Washington Carver

Gregory’s Outreach Services would like to salute George Washington Carver, a chemist who revolutionized farming as we know it today. He taught farmers and sharecroppers how to grow their own food and fight for a more equitable agricultural system. He inspired future generations of organizations like Gregory’s Fresh Market to occupy positions within the national food justice movement for more than a century. He also gave new insights and uses for simple things crops produced like peanuts, sweet potatoes, and soybeans. He came up with 300 uses for the peanut alone, no wonder he was nicknamed the “Crop Doctor”.

He was born the year before slavery ended in 1864. He pursued an education after leaving home at eleven and would eventually earn a master’s degree in agricultural science from Iowa State University. He would go on to teach and continue research at Tuskegee University for decades. He is an International Treasure, and he is Black History. 

George Washington Carver taught farmers how to diversify their crops while improving their soil through plant rotation which ultimately helped southern farmers improve their finances and diets.

George Washington Carver

We celebrate this man of wonder who continues to inspire me in my own farming endeavors in providing fruits and vegetables for more than 15,000 seniors and veterans through Gregory’s Fresh Market and programs like “Veggie for Veterans.” When we are not delivering produce, we can be found harvesting vegetables at our local farm, which supplements our produce for seniors. Thank you, George Washington Carver.

10 Facts About George Washington Carver (mebondbooks.com).

Combating Food Insecurity

Combating Food Insecurity

Jan 10, 2021 | Food Programs, Independent Living

Combating Food Insecurity

In 2019, food insecurity affected nearly 13.7 million U.S. households, or 10% of the U.S. population, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and millions of Americans still out of work, this year families are finding it harder than ever to put food on the table. Children who rely on school meals now have limited access to healthy foods, which can stunt adolescent growth and their ability to learn. Seniors who live on a fixed income may find it more difficult to find a balance between food and healthcare costs. Those who struggle with food insecurity may also be more at risk for chronic diseases due to stress and not being able to afford nutritious food.

There are numerous programs that offer assistance to families struggling with food insecurity. One of the most common resources is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP, also known as food stamps, provides low-income families with money for food. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 38 million Americans received SNAP benefits in 2019. Since the pandemic hit in February 2020, the amount of benefits issued has gone up by 17 percent. Food banks and pantries are other great resources for those struggling with food insecurity, and you can find your local food bank here.

For those who have the time and space, gardening can be a cost-effective way to provide nutritious food for you and your family. If you don’t have the resources to grow your own garden, farmer’s markets are an affordable option when purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables. If you live in a food desert area, try to find mobile food distributors who offer healthy and affordable food options, such as Diana Gregory Outreach Services. There’re so many great resources out there to help those struggling with food insecurity, such as Feeding America and Meals on Wheels America, it’s just a matter of finding what option works best for you.

Sources: Feeding America. Addressing Food Insecurity in Health Care Settings. Retrieved from https://hungerandhealth.feedingamerica.org/explore-our-work/community-health-care-partnerships/addressing-food-insecurity-in-health-care-settings/  Feeding America. Causes and Consequences of Food Insecurity. Retrieved from https://hungerandhealth.feedingamerica.org/understand-food-insecurity/hunger-health-101/  Healthcare Without Harm. Connecting food-insecure individuals to resources. Retrieved from https://foodcommunitybenefit.noharm.org/resources/implementation-strategy/connecting-food-insecure-individuals-resources  Silva, C. (2020, September 27). Food Insecurity In The U.S. By The Numbers. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2020/09/27/912486921/food-insecurity-in-the-u-s-by-the-numbers  USDA Economic Research Service. Key Statistics & Graphics. (2020, September 09). Retrieved from https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/key-statistics-graphics.aspx