Food Sustainability for LGBT+ Older Adults in PR

Over the past year, Waves Ahead Corp. has made significant progress in advancing its Food Sustainability Project, designed to support the nutritional stability and overall well-being of LGBT+ older adults and older adults from our 5 community centers. The program addresses food insecurity, promotes healthy aging, and strengthens community resilience through culturally responsive and inclusive programming.

A key achievement has been the expansion of our community-based food hubs located in San Juan and Cabo Rojo. These hubs now provide regular access to fresh produce, pantry items, and nutritional guidance to over 215 LGBT+ older adults and older adults each month. Through local partnership with Puerto Rico Food Bank and other smaller food distributors, we have been able to integrate more fresh, locally sourced products, reinforcing both sustainability and economic vitality within surrounding communities. In addition, from the other 3 community centers, we have distributed 100 food boxes between Loiza, Maunabo and Isabela.

Additionally, Waves Ahead implemented educational workshops on gardening, meal planning, nutrition, and budgeting for healthy eating. Participants report increased confidence in preparing nutritious meals and a stronger sense of autonomy. Our community garden at our center in San Juan continues to provide space to learn about home gardening providing opportunities for social engagement, and reducing isolation among participants.

Overall, Waves Ahead remains committed to expanding the program’s reach and strengthening sustainable food systems that affirm the dignity, health, and resilience of Puerto Rico’s LGBT+ and older adult community.

In the last few months, the local and federal government have attacked us directly by implementing LGBT-phobic laws and regulations (and taking funds away).  Although the local and federal officials are attacking us, as a community, we are still offering safe spaces to congregate and seek "community."  They are taking away funds, but we are still providing services to all including providing food boxes every month for our LGBT+ elder adults across 14 municipalities from our 5 community centers. 

The local government have taken away more than 40% of our funds stating that we are "not open to all." They state that we are focused on a certain community and going against the mandate implemented by the federal government and president. We continue our work! 

We will continue to provide services, including food sustainability programming for LGBT+ older adults. In the last months, we have provided more than 180+ individuals with food boxes each month plus provided a series of educational sessions to 23 individuals on how to grow their home gardens.  These 23 individuals received all the tools necessary to grow their home gardens. 

Waves Ahead will continue to provide our services from the five community centers across Puerto Rico, and we will continue to help our LGBT+ elders to meet their food needs.