East Hampton's senior nutrition program reaches 50-year milestone

Classic tunes of Louis Armstrong and The Temptations filled the American Legion Post 419 in Amagansett as servers passed plates of deviled eggs and other hors d'oeuvres.

The eldest in the audience, the "Over 90” members, sat together during the 50th anniversary celebration of East Hampton Town’s Senior Nutrition Program. The program provides midday meals to more than 250 town residents ages 60 and older and serves as a social hub for activities such as bingo, bridge and yoga.

The Sept. 6 event doubled as a chance to celebrate a milestone and to honor local nonagenarians and even a few centenarians.

In East Hampton Town, which has an aging population, the program helps older residents maintain proper nutrition. Nearly 22% of town residents are 65 and older, according to U.S. census data.

In the last month, the nutrition program served about 2,400 meals, according to Diane Patrizio, the director of the town's human services department, which oversees the program.

At the celebration, Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez presented proclamations to 24 members of the "Over 90” club and described the nutrition program as a "vital resource" for town seniors.

"Not only does it provide a hot meal five days a week, it fosters friendships and strengthens connections," Burke-Gonzalez said. "What’s really nice is everyone makes friends ... They have their tables they love to sit at. They really look forward to spending time together."

Countywide programs

Across Suffolk County, more than 30 similar programs provide services to seniors, all partially funded through the county's Office for the Aging.

Towns began implementing the programs after Congress passed the Older Americans Act in 1965, officials said.

East Hampton operates the program out of its senior center on Springs Fireplace Road. It has another outpost in Montauk for the town's easternmost residents.

The Town of Southampton has nutrition programs in Bridgehampton, Southampton, Hampton Bays and Flanders.

Michelle Posillico, East Hampton’s senior citizen program supervisor, curates menus for six-week periods that are forwarded to the county nutritionist for tweaks and approvals. A typical meal might include a protein such as chicken, beef or seafood, or other options, including quiche, eggplant or a vegan meal.

In addition to a meal of the day, staff prepares daily staples including crab cakes, veggie burgers and grilled chicken, she said.

Residents can also grab-and-go a week’s worth of frozen meals that include salad, bread, fruit and dessert.

Key resource

Residents who enjoy the nutrition program say it's an invaluable resource.

Victoria Lundin, 69, helped organize the celebration and distributed raffle tickets. An East Hampton resident for 40 years, she said she has been using the nutrition program for the past four.

"It was a little scary at first coming, trying to find a groove, the connection, being with the people," she said. "But everyone is so open, welcoming."

She said the socialization was important for her, particularly after the death of her husband.

Julia Kayser, 96, enjoyed the meal catered by nearby Smokin' Wolf BBQ with her husband of 80 years, Leroy Kayser, 99.

"Fantastic," she said of the nutrition program. "All the people who live in other cities and up-island, nobody has what we have. It's unbelievable what they do."

Julia Kayser said she uses the meal program twice a week and the town provides transportation back and forth. Neither she nor her husband drive anymore.

The town honored Vera Lazarich during a special presentation ahead of her 100th birthday. She received a decoration that said "cheers to 100 years."

Lazarich lived in Italy during World War II and now lives with her daughter, Elizabeth Rosano, in Springs.

"She's very outgoing," Rosano said of her mother.

Importance of nutrition

Sotiria Everett, a registered dietitian and clinical assistant professor for Stony Brook University’s Department of Family, Population & Preventive Medicine’s Nutrition Division, said loneliness and isolation can affect a person’s appetite and contribute to malnutrition.

"Food brings people together," she said.

Disorders that older adults face, such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes, can be managed with a healthy diet, Everett said. It’s also important for seniors to eat foods that are high in protein to help preserve muscle mass.

Some adults also face mobility issues and can have a hard time getting to a grocery store to purchase ingredients, she said.

Julia Kayser said she couldn’t narrow down a favorite meal offered through the program, saying "all the food is good."

During the ceremony, as Burke-Gonzalez announced each proclamation, she singled the 96-year old as "the firecracker" — drawing a loud applause.

Kayser laughed at the description.

"I'm very active," she said.