Federally Funded Pilot Program Benefits Older Adults — and Restaurants

The Administration for Community Living has apportioned a two-year, $500,000 grant to the Erie County (NY) Department of Senior Services under the Innovations in Nutrition Programs and Services program, reports Buffalo Business First . The pilot will see Erie County team up with four local restaurants to provide dining options for seniors who have traditionally been limited to congregate dining programs at community centers and senior communities. Pre-registered participants will be able to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the participating eateries with a menu based on the USDA Older Americans Act nutritional requirement standards. The menus also will feature currently unavailable options and combinations, while registered individuals can present a key tag to claim their meal options. The restaurants will be compensated for the meals. To address social isolation among older adults, the program offers them the choice of where to eat, when, and with whom they want to eat.