Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA)
JABA is a non-profit Central Virginia agency on aging. They work closely with the Virginia Department for the Aging, and receive funds directly from the Older Americans Act. This act was formed in 1965 to take care of Americans over 60 years of age. JABA specifically provides these citizens with food, nutrition advice and health screenings. They have also received two grants to date from the USDA. JABA distributes healthy and local food to seniors through their catering company, Top Broccoli, and home delivered meals. By providing nutritious food to senior citizens, JABA combats diet related illnesses. However, they are also starting to deal with those younger than 60 years of age in order to prevent these diseases altogether.
Motivation:
Sustainability – JABA strives to provide seniors with healthy and local food. They also work to get as much of their food from within a 100 mile radius as possible. They provide food that has only crossed hands once or twice in order to decrease the risk of contamination. By purchasing this food they work to create a better environment, provide jobs in the local economy, and provide food that is most nutritious.
Local Food Initiative – JABA has assembled a local food advisory board within Charlottesville. Members include faculty and staff from the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture and Darden School of Business, among others. In October of 2008, a Community Food System Project was assembled by representatives from these schools. Topics of discussion include a current landscape, a seasonal map, an economic financial analysis, and recommendations for the future.
Progress: JABA has received two grants from the USDA. Congressman Tom Perriello announced the most recent grant of $56,750 to help seniors gain access to local food.
Challenges: JABA currently faces the challenge of expanding their food system to process food for year-round consumption.
Future Direction: JABA will be using this grant by adding refrigerator and freezer space, and prep tables to their food distribution businesses. According the Judy Berger, JABA’s Manager of Community Nutrition, the project requires a lot of start-up, but the grant is a great help. In the future, JABA hopes to provide locally grown Virginia food to senior citizens year-round.
Additional resources:
JABA:
Virginia Department for the Aging:
Older Americans Act:
JABA Community Food System Project:
JABA’s second USDA grant:
JABA receives food from the following local farms:
Roundabout Farm in Keswick, VA
Planet Earth Diversified in Stanardsville, VA
Best of What’s Around in Scottsville, VA
Twin Springs Farm in Nelson County, VA
They also work closely with and get food from the Local Food Hub in Charlottesville, VA
Contacts:
Judy Berger, JABA’s Manager of Community Nutrition
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