Senior Nutrition Program
About the Senior Nutrition Program
The Senior Nutrition Program provides older adults with healthy and nutritious home-delivered and community group meals. Community meals are regularly available at senior centers, Councils on Aging, community centers, faith-based organizations, senior housing, and other locations.
The goals of the Senior Nutrition Program, in addition to serving healthy and nutritious meals, are to reduce food insecurity and malnutrition, promote socialization, and promote the health and well-being of older people to help them maintain independence so they can continue to live in their homes and communities.
The Senior Nutrition Program serves approximately 10 million nutritionally balanced meals each year. Deliveries are administered by 24 regional nutrition programs throughout Massachusetts, and community or congregate meals are provided at more than 325 locations. The Senior Nutrition Program also provides nutrition-related risk screening, education, and counseling, and some locations may offer supper and weekend meals.
Home-Delivered Meals
Home-delivered meals provide nutritious food to older adults who are frail, isolated, or homebound. People do not need to be homebound to qualify for this service. Each meal delivery serves as a daily safety check, and emergency meals are provided to be used during a weather-related storm or emergency when delivery is not an option. Meals can be customized to meet the recipient’s medical nutrition needs, such as cardiac, carbohydrate controlled, or renal, or meals with texture modifications like soft or pureed. Click the button below to see a map of where these meals are offered.
In some communities, home-delivered meals are available to fit an individual’s cultural preferences or health needs. Some community dining sites may also provide transportation and recreational activities. Click the buttons below to see a map of where these meals are offered.
Community Group Meals
Community or congregate dining sites provide at least one meal per day at senior centers, Councils on Aging, faith-based organizations, senior housing, and other public locations. The community setting provides opportunities for socialization and companionship, and it also offers nutrition education programs on relevant topics such as:
- Healthy shopping on a budget
- Disease prevention and management
- Hydration
- Food safety
Eligibility
Home-Delivered Meals
- Age 60+ and considered frail, isolated, or homebound.
- Under age 60 living with a disability or living in a housing complex where mainly older adults live.
- Spouses and caregivers may also receive meals, regardless of age and ability.
Community Meals
- You must be an adult age 60+.
- You are also eligible if you are under age 60 and live in senior housing where community meals are served.
- Your spouse or partner can join you at community meals, regardless of their age.
Robert is a 72-year-old widower who lives alone and has mobility issues that make it difficult for him to prepare nutritious meals. Since his wife passed away two years ago, he has become increasingly isolated and often skips meals or relies on processed foods. Robert enrolled in the home-delivered meals program and now receives hot, balanced meals five days a week. The program has helped Robert maintain his independence, improve his nutrition, and stay connected to his community through regular contact with the friendly delivery volunteers.
Interested in This Program?
Fill out our simple online form and get connected. Or, call us at 800-243-4636 and a call specialist can connect you. Call specialists are available Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM.
Coming Soon
Our online intake form is currently under development.