Food & Nutrition Programs
Serving Elders
Congregate Meal Facilities
The congregate meal program provides at least one hot meal per day at senior centers, churches, schools, and other locations. The congregate setting also provides opportunities for socialization and companionship.
Home Delivered Meals
Home Delivered Meals ("Meals on Wheels") delivers prepared meals to homebound seniors, aged 60 or older who are unable to shop or cook for themselves.
This program can provide groceries to elders. Food is usually provided from the local food bank and the Council on Aging provides space and volunteers to assemble the bags. Usually this is a monthly program. Some programs provide delivery for a nominal fee. For some participants, this program has a side social benefit; they can check-in with friends when picking up their bag of food
Fair Foods Two Dollars a Bag
Two Dollars a Bag operates a “food rescue” program through a network of volunteers in Greater Boston. Two Dollars a Bag food distribution sites are in churches, schools, and senior housing complexes. For a suggested donation of two dollars, a family receives about 15 pounds of groceries (no one is turned away for lack of ability to pay).
Farmer’s Market Coupons
These coupons are available to elders from their local Council on Aging and to WIC members from their WIC counselor. They can be used like cash and are accepted at most farmers' markets.
Cambridge Residents only:
Food for Free
Delivers food to low-income Cambridge residents who, because of a disability or impairment, are unable to use Food Pantry programs.
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