Published August 26, 2020

Access to healthy, nutritious food is vital for the physical and emotional wellbeing of older adults. Food programs for older adults typically fall into two categories: congregate meal programs and home-delivered meal programs, and lunch is the most commonly-offered meal. Congregate meal programs are typically hosted at senior centers, community centers, churches, and other places where older adults gather. Home-delivered meal programs deliver regular meals to those who are home-bound or may have difficulty attending a congregate meal site. In addition to the nutritional benefits, congregate and home-delivered meal programs provide opportunities for socialization.

For both congregate and home-delivered meal programs, there is usually a small fee (although this varies depending on the individual’s ability to pay).