Bringing Healthy Golden Years to Manor nnewton Mon, 05/18/2026 - 12:00

May17

The Housing Authority of Travis County (HATC) works to provide safe, affordable housing for low-income families and older adults. It is a holistic effort that involves many partnerships with community organizations including the Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB). As CEO Patrick Howard explains, even with stable housing, other needs remain — especially when it comes to food.

“When you think about social indicators of health, you think about shelter being the foundation, giving people stability, helping them have a stable lifestyle. Having access to good, healthy foods is critically important as well,” he said.

The struggle to access healthy food is particularly challenging for older residents. Shirley Reynolds, who has lived in HATC’s Manor housing community for 14 years, describes that reality.

“I don’t drive. That’s the hardest thing is to get where you want to go.”

In 2025, residents like Shirley got some much-needed relief when HATC partnered with CTFB for its Golden Harvest Farmers Market program. Now, every month, CTFB brings fresh produce directly onsite, allowing residents to grocery shop feet from where they live.

“I love the people that come help us out,” said Shirley. “It’s beautiful. It keeps me from going to the store and you have good vegetables, so it’s wonderful.”

Shirley also happens to be diabetic. For older adults managing chronic conditions like diabetes, consistent access to fresh food can make a measurable difference.

“I’m a diabetic and I try to keep everything working if I can,” she said. “It’s things [like produce] that help me keep my sugar down and I’m a heart patient. I’ve had double bypass.”

With fruits and vegetables readily available each month, maintaining a healthier routine becomes more achievable.

“I love my vegetables. Period.”

And that access supports not just physical health, but everyday quality of life. The market is also a place of connection — where neighbors see one another, share resources, and build relationships.

“It’s nice and you get to meet all the people you live around,” said resident Jesse Moreno.

That sense of community extends into action. Residents like Jesse Moreno not only attend but also volunteer, helping ensure others have what they need.

“If it weren’t for CTFB, we wouldn’t have nothing because the things right now, everything that you go to the store is very expensive and people have no money,” he said. “I help my neighbors, they help me.”

For HATC, bringing resources directly onsite has proven to be a critical piece of supporting residents.

“It’s phenomenal, when you think about the stories that you hear about folks not having the situation to afford them the opportunity to have access to goods and services, bringing them onsite is critically important and we’re just happy that we have the opportunity to do that,” said Howard. “We're so grateful for this partnership.”

This work is especially meaningful during Older Americans Month, a time to recognize the importance of supporting older adults in ways that promote health, dignity, and independence. By aligning housing with access to nutritious food, this collaboration is helping older adults in Manor maintain their health, their independence, and their sense of community.

And each month, as the Golden Harvest Farmers Market returns, it continues to make something simple — access to fresh food — not just possible, but consistent.

More about the Golden Harvest Farmers Market

Today, the Golden Harvest Farmers Market supports approximately 800 older adults across 15 distribution sites including Bell, Travis, Bastrop, Miliam, Hays and unincorporated Travis County.

Central Texas Food Bank

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