Serving nutritious congregate meals — including those incorporating foods from different cultures — to older residents of rural east San Diego County is not an easy task. Five sites are spread across the area to reach as many residents as possible. One staff member drives more than 30 minutes to deliver lunch and frozen meals to residents of tiny Dulzura.

Overseeing the congregate meals program is San Ysidro Health’s Crystal Rivera. Based in their Campo location, Crystal prepares the monthly meal menu, which is reviewed and approved by a nutritionist.

"I try to incorporate meals for our diverse clients — Asian, Hispanic, Mediterranean, and American dishes."

Alpine, located in the Cuyamaca Mountains, is home to the largest site where more than 50 meals are served every Thursday. After morning activities, clients enjoy a nutritious lunch and are given frozen meals to take home to have throughout the week.

Nutrition programs are among many services helping older Californians to thrive.