The lack of good nutritious meals for seniors can exacerbate the health problems of those living with chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension. NY1's Erin Billups takes at the issue and the help available and filed the following report.

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer's senior food program with GrowNYC has expanded since her days as a councilwoman. Now, about a thousand older Manhattan residents are signed up to receive bags of fresh fruits and vegetables every other week for $8 a bag.

It's between a third or half of what that produce would cost in a market.

"Green markets are expensive with or without food stamps. So here, you can find, for their health, and the amount that they need, they share with their neighbors or they look at the recipes. And often the senior centers can help them take it home, says Brewer.

Unfortunately Brewer's program doesn't run through winter - leaving those seniors with one less healthy food option. It points to a bigger problem facing more than 10 percent of city seniors as we head into colder months.

"They're often using all their money for housing, they don't have money left over for food," says Brewer.

According to the New York Coalition Against Hunger there's been a 42 percent increase in food insecurity among seniors since 2008-2010. And a recent AARP report confirms it's a growing problem especially for the so-called "younger old".

"So the baby boomers who are just now about to enter retirement, who may have even less secure pensions and work history and savings," explains Caryn Resnick, Deputy Commissioner forthe city's Department for the Aging.

Resnick adds they are trying to get more seniors to sign up for SNAP, the federal food assistance program.

"There are over 200,000 New Yorkers over the age of 60 who we believe could qualify who are absolutely not participating in the program, for many reasons, stigma being the biggest," says Resnick.

Senior centers like the one serving Ridgewood and Bushwick can be a lifeline for seniors. There are 250 throughout the city, at least one in every community district. They offer lunch weekdays and the option for take home meals on the weekends.

For a list of neighborhood senior centers, visit nyc.gov.

Those interested in the Manhattan Borough President’s program can call her office at 212-669-8300 and ask about the GrowNYC.