Marin County Launches App To Help Families Find Affordable Food

MARIN COUNTY, CA – Low-income individuals and families not eligible for food assistance programs can now access a free, bilingual mobile application to find low-cost food sites near their homes.

Marin County Health and Human Services and the county's Information Services Technology Department launched the Food Now Marin app this month.

The app has content from the SF-Marin Food Bank and the HHS Community Resources Guide that helps residents find food banks, pantries, congregate meals and home-delivered meals for homebound seniors.

One in five Marin County residents are at risk for hunger, and one-third of older adults are at high risk of nutrition problems, according to Health and Human Services officials.

Further, one-quarter of the county's children are eligible for school meal assistance and many lack access to healthy, fresh and affordable food, according to Health and Human Services officials.

HHS Public Health Program Manager Reba Meigs said Marin County needs more accessible food resources and Food Now Marin fills that need.

"We are excited to receive feedback from the providers and clients and to further refine this tool," Meigs said.

A list of food sources, the location, description, contact information, website and food cost details are available in English and Spanish. Food Now Marin also provides information searches by zip codes.

Food Now Marin app promotional kits are available at organizations serving low-income clients who need food assistance resources. The kits contain posters, business cards, frequently asked questions, a Food Resources Guide and a QR code to download the app.

The Food Now Marin app available to download for free at the Apple App Store or Google Play. More information is available at www.marinhhs.org/resources/Food.

By Bay City News Service / Image via County of Marin