Nutrition Services
Meals
How Are Meals Served?
Depending upon your circumstances, there are two ways to promote nutritional health and socialization:
Congregate Meal: a freshly prepared hot traditional noon meal served in a group setting for the elder population.
Home Delivered Meal: a freshly prepared hot traditional noon meal delivered in person by volunteers to the homebound elderly and those elderly who are unable to prepare meals in their own home.
If these types of meals do not meet your needs contact us for a referral to other possible options in your area.
Who Can Eat & At What Cost?
Meals are designed, prepared and funded for those elders age 60 and older and their spouse of any age. Therefore, registration and age eligibility are required to participate on a contribution basis.
For those 60 years of age and older or their spouse of any age, a voluntary contribution range of $3.00 – $8.45 per meal is suggested depending on what you feel you can afford. Contributions are used to continue to provide meals.
Caregivers living with a homebound, age eligible elder may also receive a home delivered meal on a contribution basis.
A fee of $8.45 per meal for those under 60.
Meals are served on a minimum, 24 hour advance reservation basis. Cancellations must also be made 24 hours in advance to maximize efficiency.
These services are primarily funded through: OAA, NSIP, State Senior Living Trust, participant contributions and private donations.
Where & When Are Meals Served?
Meal centers generally serve congregate meals at 11:30 or 12:00, Monday – Friday. A complete list of meal centers and contact information is available.
Meal centers provide a friendly atmosphere to gather for visiting, coffee, cards, entertainment, recreation, education as well as a hot nutritious noon meal. Some centers offer much, much more with a monthly calendar of activities, clubs and educational programs may be available.
Information about other aging services such as food assistance, transportation, chore, homemaker, etc. is also available from the meal site staff.
What’s On The Menu?
Each menu is approved by a Registered Dietician and must meet 1/3 RDA.
Meals are lower in salt and fat with special emphasis on meeting levels of fiber, folate, calcium, potassium and other nutrients for the over 70 population.
Special diet meals are not available.
Dietary compliance is the responsibility of the participant.
Volunteer to Feed the Need
What Can I Do?
- Deliver meals to homebound, offering friendship and assuring their safety.
- Prepare, pack or serve meals, following food safety standards and staff oversight.
- Prepare the dining room, delivery equipment, or other miscellaneous kitchen help.
- Assist the site manager with desk activities including reservations.
- Present approved Nutrition Education or Health Promotion topics.
The Home Delivered Meal and Congregate Meal services attract more than 350 different volunteers in the four county area.
Meal sites and contact information is available through which you can share your talent!
Nutrition Education
Most meal sites hold nutrition education topics monthly. There may be scheduled presenters, food tasting or a relaxed discussion while reviewing the Chef Charles Club Newsletter. It’s never too late to learn and understand the nutritional needs of older Americans whether the information is used for oneself or in a caregiver role.
Contact your local meal site for more information on scheduled nutrition education activities that may offer food tasting, recipes or tips on:
- Fruit and vegetable intake
- Physical activity
- Food Safety
- Making food dollars stretch
Nutrition Counseling
Under development
