There are many food assistance programs available to older adults in the United States. Here are a few of the most common programs:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): SNAP is the largest food assistance program in the United States. It provides monthly benefits that can be used to purchase food at authorized grocery stores.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP): CSFP provides monthly food packages to low-income older adults. The packages contain a variety of nutritious foods, such as canned fruits and vegetables, pasta, rice, and peanut butter.
Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP): SFMNP provides coupons to low-income older adults that can be used to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs at farmers’ markets.
Meals on Wheels: Meals on Wheels delivers hot, nutritious meals to homebound older adults.
Food banks: Food banks provide free food to people in need. Many food banks have specific programs for older adults.
To find out if you are eligible for any of these programs, you can contact your local food bank, social services agency, or state government.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
The National Council on Aging’s website: https://www.ncoa.org/ has information on a variety of food assistance programs for older adults.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service website: https://www.fns.usda.gov/ has information on all of the federal food assistance programs, including those for older adults.
The Feeding America website: https://www.feedingamerica.org/ has a search tool that can help you find food banks near you.
I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.