Comprehensive Food Resources for Seniors and Children
Food insecurity affects millions of seniors and children across the United States. Fortunately, several national programs and organizations are dedicated to providing nutritious meals to those in need. Below is a list of essential food resources for seniors and children, complete with verified links and brief explanations for each.
Senior Food Resources
- Meals on Wheels America
Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious meals to seniors who are homebound or unable to prepare their own meals. This service also provides social interaction and safety checks for older adults.
Visit Meals on Wheels America - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for Seniors
SNAP provides financial assistance to eligible seniors to help them purchase nutritious food. The program is managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Visit SNAP for Seniors - Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)
The SFMNP provides low-income seniors with coupons that can be exchanged for fresh, nutritious, unprocessed fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs.
Visit Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) - Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
The CSFP works to improve the health of low-income seniors by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA foods. Participants receive a monthly package of food tailored to their specific dietary needs.
Visit Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) - Feeding America Senior Programs
Feeding America provides hunger relief programs specifically for seniors, including the Senior Grocery Program and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). These programs help seniors access nutritious food through local food banks and community organizations.
Visit Feeding America Senior Programs - Senior Food Programs – USA.gov
USA.gov provides information on various food assistance programs available to seniors, including SNAP, Meals on Wheels, and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program.
Visit Senior Food Programs – USA.gov - The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
TEFAP provides emergency food assistance at no cost to low-income seniors and other individuals in need. This program supplies food to food banks, soup kitchens, and food pantries.
Visit The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
Children’s Food Resources
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP provides financial assistance to low-income families, including those with children, to help them purchase nutritious food. This program is managed by the USDA.
Visit SNAP - National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
The NSLP provides low-cost or free lunches to children in public and nonprofit private schools. This program ensures that children receive nutritious meals during the school day.
Visit National School Lunch Program (NSLP) - School Breakfast Program (SBP)
The SBP offers low-cost or free breakfasts to children in schools and childcare institutions. This program helps ensure that students start their day with a healthy meal.
Visit School Breakfast Program (SBP) - Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
The SFSP provides free meals to children and teens in low-income areas during the summer months when school is not in session.
Visit Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) - Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
CACFP provides nutritious meals and snacks to children in childcare centers, after-school programs, and emergency shelters, as well as family day care homes.
Visit Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) - Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
WIC provides nutritious foods, education on healthy eating, breastfeeding support, and healthcare referrals to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to age five.
Visit WIC - Feeding America Child Hunger Programs
Feeding America offers several programs aimed at combating child hunger, including the BackPack Program, Kids Cafe, and School Pantry Program. These initiatives provide children with nutritious food outside of school hours.
Visit Feeding America Child Hunger Programs - No Kid Hungry
No Kid Hungry focuses on ending childhood hunger in the United States by connecting kids in need with effective nutrition programs like school breakfast and summer meals.
Visit No Kid Hungry - The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
TEFAP provides emergency food assistance at no cost to low-income children and families. This program supplies food to food banks, soup kitchens, and food pantries, helping ensure that children have access to healthy meals during times of need.
Visit TEFAP
These resources provide critical support to seniors and children facing food insecurity, ensuring they have access to nutritious meals throughout the year. Whether you’re looking for a meal delivery service, a food assistance program, or help during the summer months, these organizations and programs are here to help.