Senior Citizen Nutrition Programs

In 1965, Congress passed the Older Americans Act (OAA) establishing the Administration on Aging (AoA) and state agencies on aging, which is the vehicle for the delivery of social and nutrition services to older Americans and their caregivers. Title VI of the OAA was created in 1972 and authorized funding for a national nutrition program for seniors to fund both congregate and home-delivered meals to seniors.

The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program started as a pilot program in late 2000 when the U.S. Department of Agriculture proposed a pilot program to provide vouchers to senior citizens to use to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets and road side stands. In 2001 it became an ongoing program.

On a federal level the Administration on Aging within the Department of Health and Human Services administers the congregate and home delivered meals. In New York City (NYC) these programs are operated by non-profit organizations under contract with the NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA).

The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service, which administers the SFMNP grants to states. The New York Department of Agriculture and Markets partners with the New York State Department of Health in administrating the SFMNP in New York.

At the federal level, the AoA provides grants to support congregate and home delivered meals for older adults to local areas on aging offices, which in NYC is the Department for the Aging in NYC (DFTA). DFTA provides the funding for both congregate and home delivered meals Monday through Friday. In addition, NYC receives private funding through individual and private foundations to provide meals on wheels on weekends and holidays.

The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is funded annually by Congress. State agencies may use up to 10% of their grants for program administrative costs.

Congregate meals are available to older adults, age 60 and older and their spouses. There are no income or resource requirements to participate. Eligible seniors can access congregate meals programs at senior centers, community centers, faith-based centers and adult day care centers. NYC residents can call 311 for operator assistance to locate his/her closest center.

Home delivered meals (meals on wheels) are available to homebound seniors 60 and over. There are no income or resource requirements to participate. Eligible seniors can access meals on wheels through a network of case management agencies. Individuals interested in requesting meals-on-wheels service should call the case management agency serving his/her local area.

The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program provides coupons for low-income seniors to buy fresh, unprepared foods at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs.