A grant from the Tufts Health Plan Foundation will help ensure that there are more healthy food options for the region's elderly population.

Coastline Elderly Services and the Community Cross Continuum Collaborative announced Wednesday that they were the recipients of the $225,000 grant.

The grant will be used to improve access to nutritious food for senior citizens in the New Bedford area along education and outreach through a network of community and health providers.

Paula Shiner, the CEO of Coastline and Chair of the Collaborative released a statement saying the grant will provide an opportunity to expand their work.

"Good nutrition is the key to healthy living and healthy aging. We are very excited to be instrumental in the effort to improve the health and wellness of our community," said Shiner.

Shiner also says they are in the process of hiring someone to lead the new initiative.

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