Nutrition Services

The Onondaga County Office for Aging's Senior Nutrition Services provides county residents who are age 60 and older with nutritious meal options as well as nutrition counseling and education. Flavorful, nutritious meals are served up to five days per week at Senior Dining Sites and through various Home Delivered Meals providers. Nutrition counseling is available for all Onondaga County residents age 60 and older. Nutrition programs and meal service are monitored by registered dietitians/registered diet technicians to ensure compliance with federal, state and county regulations.

Services Offered: For more information, on any of our services, call 315-435-2362 and ask for Nutrition Services.

Senior Dining Sites - To meet the nutritional needs of the older adults, the Onondaga County Department Office for Aging has established a network of 30 senior dining sites throughout the county that provide a complete luncheon program. These programs serve a hot, nutritious meal that meet federal nutritional guidelines. Cultural diversity is considered in menu development. Anyone 60 years of age and over (and their spouses) are encouraged to dine together in a social atmosphere. Persons who wish to participate must register in advance. These community centers link seniors to additioal services that include transportation, information and assistance, health and nutrition education, shopping assistance, and recreational activities.

Eligible participants have the opportunity to make a suggested contribution. Voluntary contributions provide additional funding to provide more meals for older adults. No eligible participant is denied a meal due to inability or unwillingness to contribute towards the cost of the meal and each client's contribution is voluntary and confidential.

There is a suggested contribution of $3.50 per meal. For individuals earning more than the 185% of the Federal Poverty Rate, we suggest considering a contribution closer to actual cost of meal: $13.00. For 2024, 185% of the Federal Poverty Rate is $26,861 for a single family household and $37,814 for a two family household.

Home Delivered Meals - Persons aged 60 and over are eligible to receive funded home delivered meals if they are homebound and disabled due to an accident, illness or frailty; lack of support of family, friends or neighbors; and are unable to prepare meals because of lack of facilities (such as refrigeration, stove, etc.), inability to shop and cook for themselves, inability to safely prepare meals or lack of knowledge and skills. Meals are available five days per week, with provision for weekend meals if needed. 

Two meals, lunch and dinner, are provided each day. These two meals, combined, provide a minimum of two-thirds of the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) for older adults. Menus are planned based on the recommendations of the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The delivery of meals also serves as a daily monitoring system to check on each person's well-being.

There is no cost for eligible participants, but there is a suggested contribution of $4.00 for two meals. No eligible participant is denied a meal due to inability or unwillingness to contribute towards the cost of the meal and each client's contribution is voluntary and confidential. For individuals earning more than the 185% of the Federal Poverty Rate, we suggest considering a contribution closer to actual cost of two meals: $10.00. For 2024, 185% of the Federal Poverty Rate is $26,861 for a single family household and $37,814 for a two family household.

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program - Each year, the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides eligible, low-income older adults $25.00 in coupons to buy locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets in New York State. Booklets are available starting in July and may be used through November. They are distributed on a first come, first served basis. To qualify, an individual must be age 60 or older and meet the income requirement of at or below 185% of the current year's federal poverty level.

Farmers' markets also distribute up-to-date information about healthy eating and many offer cooking demonstrations using local produce available at the market. Adding more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to the meals we eat helps make us all healthier. This program also supports farming which is a major part of the New York State economy.

Nutrition Education and Counseling

One-on-One Counseling with a Registered Dietitian - One-on-One counseling with one of our Registered Dietitians is available for all Onondaga County residents age 60 or older, at no cost to the participant. One-on-one meetings can be held at any congregate meal site, in the homes of our Home Delivered Meals participants or at the Onondaga County Office for Aging. Counseling is provided in the home by appointment only and includes the development of an individually written care plan based on a physician's diet order, in addition to general nutrition education.

For more information or to arrange a nutrition counseling session, call (315) 435-2362 x4943.

Nutrition Education - Planned programs that promote better nutrition, physical fitness, and health are scheduled at the various dining sites. Nutrition education material is also provided to all home delivered meals recipients.

For more information on nutrition education sessions or to arrange nutrition education classes for you group, call (315) 435-2362 x4995.