Food Agent Program

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

The Food Agent Program is a support service of the Baltimore County Department of Aging’s Home Team Program (herein referred to as BCDA). Its mission is to make free, donated, non-potentially hazardous food accessible to homebound, food insecure seniors residing in Baltimore County. Assigned direct-service volunteers, (herein referred to as “food agents”) pick-up and deliver non-potentially hazardous food to seniors in Baltimore County who have been identified as homebound and food insecure through a BCDA assessment process. After successful completion of the assessment process, eligible seniors are registered as Food Agent Program clients, connected to partnering food pantries and receive regular food deliveries from food agents. Presently in 2017, the program has 32 food agents, provides service coordination and food to 87 households consisting of seniors at 125% poverty level in Baltimore County and has 26 food pantry partnerships. Food agents deliver approximately 200 bags of free food per month, including fresh fruits and vegetables, and serve households with eligible homebound, low-income seniors and their family members, some of whom are young grandchildren. The Food Agent Program could not have been accomplished without successful partnerships with local food pantries and the dedication of direct-service staff and volunteers.