The Older Americans Act (OAA) seeks to enable older individuals to maintain their well-being through locally developed community-based systems of services. The OAA Title III C-2 Home-Delivered Nutrition Program provides nutritious meals via home delivery or to-go meals to individuals aged 60 or older who have limited ability to leave home unassisted or to shop for and prepare nutritious meals, or those who have social or economic need for home-delivered or to-go meals. In addition to meals, the Program also provides nutrition education, nutrition risk screening, and, in some areas, nutrition counseling.
The Program targets older individuals with the greatest economic or social need, with particular attention to low-income, minority older individuals, and older individuals living in rural areas. Program goals are to reduce food insecurity and malnutrition, reduce social isolation through contact with the individuals who deliver the meals, and provide links to other supportive services. Each meal must follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and provide a minimum of one-third of the Dietary Reference Intakes.