Queens for a day

Seven Oaks

A new initiative is helping older adults in northwest Winnipeg get their groceries.

The food access bus, a pilot project launched last October, is being delivered by Coun. Devi Sharma (Old Kildonan) and is supported by the Seven Oaks Resource Network and Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre.

The goal of the initiative — inspired, in part, by previous food access bus projects such as the one in the Chalmers neighbourhood spearheaded by the late area councillor Jason Schreyer — is to reduce transportation barriers for older adults and help them access affordable, healthy groceries while also helping them foster social connections.

During the pilot program, which will run until March, tenants of several 55-plus residences in the Seven Oaks area will be picked up by a rented Winnipeg transit bus, and dropped off at FreshCo for an hour-long shopping session, before being dropped home. The intention is continue the service after the six-month pilot period.

Sharma said access to healthy and affordable food is essential for every family in the community, and that the bus is an innovative way to help and empower residents in her Old Kildonan ward.

“The exemplifies age-friendly Manitoba,” Sharma said, noting each participant receives a bright green shopping bag, bearing a newly designed logo, which gives them a visible presence when shopping in the store, as well as something handy to bag their groceries in.

“It’s important to have affordable groceries, and this program also promotes independence, so the participant doesn’t have to rely on a family member to drop their groceries off.”

“There’s something about picking up that apple and choosing it yourself and holding it in your hand, and seeing other products, and maybe sharing recipes with your neighbours. There’s lots of choice at the store, the produce is fresh, and staff are friendly,” she added.

Dan Saidman, Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre’s senior resource finder, emphasized why the program is so important for local older adults.

“Seniors are often left behind by the digital world, and things like credit cards and ordering online,” Saidman said.

Noting the area is known as a ‘food desert’, Saidman said it’s important for older adults to have access to food, not least fresh produce, and to live independently.

“We’re working with 55-plus buildings, and we’re finding people who want to be captains. I can communicate with them and the other residents. We’re about making it more accessible for them, and this is a community-driven initiative,” Saidman said.

On the morning of Jan. 6, participants were dropped off at FreshCo at 920 Jefferson Ave. in three different shifts.

Area resident Sharon Giesbrecht, who noted it was the third time she’d used the food access bus, said she’s enjoyed the experience thus far.

“It’s great. We get a ride here and we take our time shopping, and we can buy as many groceries as we want. Then we get a ride home again,” Giesbrecht said.

Fellow participant Sylvia Twersky also enjoyed the experience.

“I love it,” Twersky said. “I feel like a queen … and I hope they continue this.”

“For us just to be able to buy groceries, it’s great. It’s wonderful. We all look forward to it, and a big thanks to Devi Sharma and the other organizers, as this is much-needed in our community.”