The Department of Aging, through the Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), provides quality nutrition services to older Pennsylvanians through several methods: congregate and home delivered meals, food stamp benefits, consumer satisfaction surveys, nutrition services questionnaires, brochures, nutrition education and internet-based information.

 

 

Congregate Meals
Nutritious meals served in a group setting are referred to as congregate meals. They are served at least once a day, usually around noon, five or more days a week within the Area Agency on Aging service area (usually in senior community centers).  In some areas, breakfast or special evening meals may be available. Less frequently, meals may also be available at satellite centers or for participants in adult daily living centers.   

 

   SAMS Proceedures for Congregate Meals

 

Home-Delivered Meals
Home-delivered meals, sometimes referred to as "meals on wheels", may be provided through the AAAs when an eligible person is in need of the service. The meals may be made up of hot, cold, frozen, or shelf stable foods. Deliveries may be daily or weekly, depending on the type of food used. Contact your local AAA for additional information and eligibility requirements.

 

Both congregate and home delivered meals must meet 1/3 of the recommended dietary allowances for persons 51 to 70 years of age and 70 years and older. The meals are nutritious and consider preferences of local communities and ethnic groups. Prepared under sanitary conditions using safe food handling practices, the meals served must be reviewed and approved by a registered dietitian to ensure that nutritional requirements are met. 

 

All meals meet or exceed the state minimum guidelines for meals. The Aging Program Directive #06-03-01, created by the Nutrition Services Advisory Committee, outlines requirements for the nutrition services.

 

Home Delivered Meal Consumer Welcome Letter

 

For information on the current Home Delivered Meal Survey click here.

 

Food Stamp Benefits
Nutrition may be further enhanced by the use of food stamp benefits which assist low income households by increasing their food purchasing power.  Food stamps are available for eligible individuals and vary in amounts provided.  Contact the local County Assistance Office for more information about these benefits. 

 

Consumer Satisfaction Survey
The consumer satisfaction surveys should be distributed to congregate and homebound consumers at least once a year.

 

Staying attentive to consumer suggestions is important, fill out this questionnaire to keep track of your responsiveness.

 

Brochures
The following brochures have been created to assist AAAs and Senior Community Centers in marketing their meal programs.  Brochures 1 and 2 are in Publisher Format and Brochure 3 is in Word Format.  Each may be tailored to include your contact information. 

Nutrition Education
Nutrition education is provided for congregate and home delivered meal participants.  Topics may include meal planning and preparation, wise use of limited food dollars, and health conditions that require diet modifications.

 

Internet Resources
More information on nutrition for older adults is available. 

 

 

 

Consumer Service Initiative:
Consumer services initiatives include developing templates of letters, surveys and other consumer information which AAAs and senior centers can use. 
 Consumer-Focused Nutrition Services Brainstorming Ideas

 

Marketing:
Marketing initiatives currently include developing an advertising brochure and poster about the meal program and developing a statewide advertising campaign about nutrition services.

 

Funding:
Funding initiatives have been developed to investigate and acquire additional funding to supplement existing services.  The funding committee completed and issued the results of the nutrition services survey and are currently investigating partnership opportunities with private companies who supply food and non-food items to the network’s nutrition programs.