Seniors in Albany County are receiving more nutritious food options thanks to a unique collaboration and generous donations from Albany County and MVP Health Care.

Last Spring, the Regional Food Bank received a $375,000 grant from the Innovation Partnership with Albany County and MVP Health Care, to fight against food insecurity in the Capital Region. Since then, the Regional Food Bank has been able to expand its footprint by providing annual support to the region including $65,000 to the Direct Delivery program, $35,000 to the Retail Store Distribution Program, and $25,000 to the Patroon Land Farm.

Most notably, the funding has allowed for the Regional Food Bank to create a new program division that specifically focuses on senior hunger with a dedicated staff member. This support has helped nearly 1,500 seniors across 17 senior housing sites, six of which are new this year. A total of 131,744 pounds of food have been provided – or 109,786 meals.

“The Innovation Partnership allows the Regional Food Bank to get one step closer to eliminating the significant meal gap in the Capital Region, helping to provide more nutritious food to the community’s most vulnerable residents,” said Tom Nardacci, CEO of the Regional Food Bank. “We are deeply thankful to Albany County and MVP Health Care for recognizing the need and helping in the efforts to enhance the quality of life one nourishing meal at a time.”

Retail Store Distribution Program

  • The Regional Food Bank saves an average of 485,000 pounds of food to distribute to residents in need through a new retail truck route in Albany County in partnership with Tech Valley Shuttle.
  • The new retail truck route allows for food pick-up from ten local grocery stores.

Direct Delivery Program

  • The Regional Food Bank provides about 717,220 pounds of food to 68 senior centers serving over 1,500 senior citizens.
  • Of the senior housing sites that the Regional Food Bank supports, six are brand new as of 2024.
  • In 2024, the Regional Food Bank provided 25,353 pounds of food to senior residents of the town of Colonie.

Patroon Land Farm

  • The Regional Food Bank’s Patroon Land Farm has produced over a million pounds of fresh vegetables to feed New York residents.
  • The funding has allowed Patroon Land Farm to make lasting infrastructure improvements by constructing a second greenhouse – increasing production by 30% and also hire seasonal workers.

“We want to make a difference, to alleviate hunger and close the meal gap. Our Innovation Partnership investment is doing just that,” said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. “Opening new senior sites to get food to our most vulnerable, expanding the pickup of food at grocery stores and adding a second greenhouse to the Patroon Land Farm are the next steps in that effort. No man, woman or child should go hungry and it’s our goal to make sure they don’t.”

“At MVP Health Care, we recognize that food insecurity and limited access to healthy food are major challenges that can impact the health and vitality of the communities we serve,” said MVP Health Care’s Chief Market Strategy and Product Officer, Augusta Martin. “Together with Albany County, we are proud to support the Regional Food Bank and we are thrilled that this investment has made tangible strides in combating food insecurity that will ultimately lead to a stronger, healthier, and more resilient Capital Region.”