St. Paul’s PACE Partners With San Diego Food Bank to Support Participant Nutrition

St. Paul’s PACE is expanding its efforts to support participant health and nutrition through a new monthly food distribution initiative at its Chula Vista Center in partnership with the San Diego Food Bank.

The initiative provides St. Paul’s PACE participants with fresh produce and healthy ingredients to support nutritious meals at home. The upcoming monthly distribution is due to the hard work and dedication of St. Paul’s PACE’s dietary team.

San Diego Food Bank staff recently visited the Chula Vista Center to train the St. Paul’s PACE dietary team on the distribution process. The Food Bank staff demonstrated each step of the process, providing the team with the knowledge needed to manage future distributions independently.

This collaboration reflects St. Paul’s PACE’s approach to participant care, which extends beyond the services provided inside its centers. While St. Paul’s PACE centers are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the organization recognizes that many factors outside of the center can affect a senior’s health and ability to remain independent.

Access to nutritious food is one of those factors. With food and grocery costs creating additional challenges for many households, connecting participants with fresh and nutritious ingredients can provide an important resource for maintaining healthy eating habits at home.

For St. Paul’s PACE, the dietary team plays an essential part of identifying these needs and connecting participants with appropriate resources. The team serves participants at PACE centers in Chula Vista, El Cajon, Encinitas, and Downtown San Diego, working as part of the larger interdisciplinary care team to support participant health.

The Chula Vista food distribution is expected to continue monthly, providing participants with ongoing access to fresh produce and healthy ingredients. The program also creates an opportunity for St. Paul’s PACE to collaborate with an established community organization serving San Diego residents.

St. Paul’s PACE continues to look for opportunities to develop partnerships and resources that address the needs of San Diego’s older adults. By working with organizations such as the San Diego Food Bank, St. Paul’s PACE can help connect participants with resources that support their health and well-being both at the center and at home.

If you or a loved one could benefit from comprehensive senior care, learn more about what PACE is and whether you qualify. You can also contact St. Paul’s PACE to learn more about available services and support.

Supporting San Diego seniors requires looking beyond a single appointment, service, or location. It requires understanding the factors that influence health and working with qualified professionals and community organizations to address them. For St. Paul’s PACE, this initiative is another step toward its mission of leading the transformation of the aging experience.