Elderly Nutrition Program

The Elderly Nutrition Program (ENP) provides seniors with nutritious meals and the opportunity to be active while also building new friendships. A variety of services are provided at local senior centers in a social meal setting. In some areas, a meal delivery program is available for homebound seniors who qualify. There is no charge for the meal.

Eligible Participants

  • Anyone 60 years of age or older

  • Spouses of participants, regardless of age

  • Persons with a disability residing with an eligible participant

  • Persons with a disability under the age of 60 residing in a living community where the ENP is provided

Nutrition and Wellness

Scientific evidence shows good nutrition is essential for healthy living and quality of life. Adequate nutrition is especially important for older adults because of their increased vulnerability to chronic diseases and conditions which may impair their functionality, ability to live at home in the community, and access to food and nutrition. Proper nutrition is an important part of healthy aging and the prevention or delay of chronic diseases and disease-related disabilities

The Elderly Nutrition Program is managed at the state level by a team of Registered Dietitians. Meals and eligibility are coordinated in each county by the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA). In addition, Alabama uses a contract food vendor to plan, prepare, and distribute hot meals and frozen meals to seniors. All meals must comply with the most recent U.S. dietary guidelines, as well as provide a minimum of one-third (1/3) of the dietary reference intakes for older individuals. Meals are purchased with federal and state dollars. Donations are accepted from participants and other individuals. These donations are put back into the meal program to help provide additional meals to more seniors.

Congregate & Home Delivered Meals

Congregate meals provide seniors the opportunity to dine in a community setting at one of 26 senior centers in the NACOLG region. Each senior center provides a hot lunch meal Monday through Friday. Healthy meals, social activities, and access to information from the community provide great benefits to seniors. Home- Delivered Meals are provided to an eligible client at the client’s place of residence. The home-delivered meals are either a hot meal delivered daily, or a frozen box of 5 meals delivered weekly by the contract food vendor.

Nutrition Education

The nutrition education program promotes better health by providing accurate and culturally sensitive nutrition, physical fitness, or related health information and instruction. Education for participants and caregivers takes place in groups or individual settings. Written nutrition and health education information is provided quarterly by a registered dietitian for use in the local community senior centers.

Department Contacts:

Anna McKinnon - Nutrition Program Manager
256-389-0534
amckinnon@nacolg.org

Elderly Nutrition Program Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Elderly Nutrition Program?

The Elderly Nutrition Program (ENP) provides nutritious meals for older adults while creating opportunities to stay active, socialize and build friendships. Meals are available in community settings at local senior centers, and home-delivered meals are available for qualifying homebound individuals.

Who is eligible for the Elderly Nutrition Program?

Eligible participants include:

  • Anyone 60 years of age or older

  • The spouse of an eligible participant, regardless of age

  • A person with a disability who lives with an eligible participant

  • A person with a disability under age 60 who lives in a residential community where the Elderly Nutrition Program is provided

Contact NACOLG if you are uncertain whether you or a family member qualifies.

Is there a charge for senior meals?

No. There is no charge for meals provided through the Elderly Nutrition Program.

Voluntary donations are accepted from participants and other individuals. Donations are returned to the meal program to help provide additional meals for older adults.

Where are congregate meals served?

Congregate meals are served in a social, community setting at 26 senior centers throughout the NACOLG region. These meals give older adults an opportunity to enjoy lunch, participate in activities and connect with other people.

When are meals served at senior centers?

Each participating senior center provides a hot lunch Monday through Friday. Meal times and reservation procedures may vary, so contact your local senior center before visiting.

Do I need to make a reservation for lunch?

Reservation requirements may differ by senior center. Call your nearest center to ask about meal times, enrollment and how far in advance you should reserve a meal.

What are home-delivered meals?

Home-delivered meals are provided at the residence of an eligible person who is unable to attend a congregate meal site. Depending on the participant’s location and service arrangement, meals may include a hot meal delivered daily or a weekly frozen box containing five meals.

Who qualifies for home-delivered meals?

Home-delivered meals are intended for eligible homebound individuals. Qualification is based on program requirements and an assessment of the person’s circumstances.

Contact NACOLG to request information about eligibility for home-delivered senior meals near you.

How do I apply for home-delivered meals?

Contact the NACOLG Elderly Nutrition Program at 256-389-0534. Program staff can explain the eligibility requirements, assessment process and meal-delivery options available in your community.

Can I request meals for an aging parent or family member?

Yes. Family members and caregivers may contact NACOLG on behalf of an older adult. Program staff can explain available options and help determine the next steps.

Are the meals nutritionally balanced?

Yes. Meals must follow current U.S. dietary guidelines and provide at least one-third of the dietary reference intakes established for older adults.

The program is managed at the state level by a team of registered dietitians, while meals and eligibility are coordinated locally through the Area Agency on Aging.

Who prepares and distributes the meals?

Alabama uses a contracted food vendor to plan, prepare and distribute hot and frozen meals. NACOLG and the local Area Agency on Aging coordinate eligibility and meal services within the region.

Does the program provide nutrition education?

Yes. The nutrition education program provides accurate and culturally sensitive information about nutrition, physical fitness and related health topics.

Education may be offered in group or individual settings. Written nutrition and health information prepared by a registered dietitian is also provided quarterly at local senior centers.

What counties does the Elderly Nutrition Program serve?

NACOLG provides senior nutrition services throughout:

  • Colbert County

  • Franklin County

  • Lauderdale County

  • Marion County

  • Winston County

How do I find senior meals near me?

NACOLG coordinates senior meals in communities near Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, Tuscumbia, Russellville, Hamilton, Haleyville and throughout Northwest Alabama.

Visit the NACOLG Senior Centers page to find the location and phone number of your nearest participating center.

Are meals available on weekends or holidays?

Participating senior centers normally serve hot lunches Monday through Friday. Regular congregate meal service is not listed for weekends, and centers close for designated holidays. Contact your local center for its current schedule.

Can I volunteer with the Elderly Nutrition Program?

Volunteer opportunities may be available through local senior centers or meal-delivery programs. Contact NACOLG or your nearest senior center to ask about current needs and volunteer requirements.