- Buy low-cost foods such as dried beans and peas, rice, and
pasta. - Use coupons to save money on food. - Look for sales and
store-brand foods, which often cost less. - Check with your
church or synagogue to see if it offers free or low-cost meals.
- Call a local senior citizen program about meal programs. You
may be able to eat there or have meals brought to your home. -
Find out if there is a Meals-on-Wheels program near you. - Get
food stamps. The food stamp office is listed under your county
government in the phone book. No matter what your age, it's
important to treat food carefully to avoid foodborne illness. As
you age, your sense of taste or smell may not always be able to
tell you when a food is no longer fit to eat--when milk has
soured or meat has spoiled. Your senses may be affected by
medication that you take or by illness. Your stomach also
produces less acid. Stomach acid is a natural defense against
bacteria you might have eaten. Your immune system also may not
be as strong as it once was, ma