This Month Marks a Very Important Anniversary!
Nutrition is a vital component of our health and well-being, especially as we age. But in communities throughout the U.S., older adults sometimes lack access to the high-quality, nutritious food they need to remain healthy and independent.
Since 1972, the national Senior Nutrition Program has been there to support older adults by providing nutrition services across the country. Funded by the Older Americans Act, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) provides grants to states to support a network of local programs that deliver nutrition services to older adults. These programs promote healthy eating, decrease social isolation, and support better health. They also provide a gateway for older adults to access other home and community-based services such as falls prevention programs, chronic disease management services, and more.
As a local agency on aging, AOASCC grants OAA funding to community organizations to support both congregate meals (dining at community locations such as senior centers and housing sites) and home-delivered meals. Find out more. Without this support, many in our local community would face food insecurity.
In a national 2021 survey: ACL National Survey
- 80% of community meal participants and 89% of home delivered meal recipients reported that the program helped them to continue to live independently
- 70% of community meal participants and 76% of home delivered meal recipients say they eat healthier because of a meal program
- In both programs half of participants indicated that the meal provides one-half or more of their total food for the day