Nutrition

Meals, Education, Counseling, and Special Presentations

Healthy, nutritious, balanced meals are served to older New Yorkers (60+) in Greene County, up to five days a week, at Congregate Meal Sites in senior centers and other community locations across Greene County. Not only do our sites provide meals, but also many kinds of social activities. Up-to-date information about wellness and healthy eating habits is provided to those who receive meals. Our registered dietitian offers private nutrition counseling to older people with questions about diabetes, weight loss or gain, and healthy eating. Participants do not need to get meals to meet with the registered dietitians. In addition, we at times offer limited transportation for those who need help getting to one of the meal locations on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Congregate Meals

In addition to Congregate Meals, Older Residents (60+) may need meals for a short time because you were recently discharged from a hospital and can’t make meals until you recover. Or you may need meals for a longer time because you can’t do many of the things you did for yourself before. For older New Yorkers who can’t prepare meals for themselves, home-delivered meals provide a healthy, nutritious, balanced meal to a participant’s residence up to five days a week.

Up-to-date information about wellness and healthy eating habits is provided to those who receive meals. Registered dietitians offer private nutrition counseling to older people with questions about diabetes, weight loss or gain, and healthy eating.

What Do Nutrition Services Cost?

There is no charge for meals, nutrition information, or counseling but each person is given the opportunity to make a suggested voluntary contribution for meals. All contributions are used locally to help serve more people. The agency also provides the opportunity to make a suggested voluntary contribution for nutrition counseling.

Home Delivered Nutrition Services

Who is Eligible?

1. Any person age 60 or older is eligible to receive home delivered meals, provided that such person:
2. is incapacitated due to accident, illness, or frailty;
3. lacks the support of family, friends, or neighbors; and
4. is unable to prepare meals due to a lack of or inadequacy of facilities, an inability to shop, cook, or prepare meals safely, or a lack of appropriate knowledge or skill.
5. In accordance with procedures established by the area agency (GCDHS):
6. individuals with disabilities under the age of 60 who reside at home with an eligible participant may receive home delivered meals if, according to criteria established by the area agency, receipt of such meals is in the best interest of the eligible participant; and
7. individuals under the age of 60 who provide volunteer services to the meal program during meal hours may be offered a meal on the same basis as meals are provided to eligible participants

How Do You Get Meals Started?

After we take your referral, a Case Manager will contact the senior and make an appointment to conduct a home visit. As part of the visit, an assessment will be completed that shows you are not able to prepare meals for yourself and don’t have help from friends or family. It will also note any diet restrictions, as our meals can meet low-sodium and diabetic requirements. The same client interview that helps find out if you are eligible for home delivered meals will show other helpful services and programs we offer for older people. Once the assessment is completed, meals may be started. If there are no openings at the time of the referral, the senior is placed on a wait list. As soon as an opening is available and the assessment is completed, meals can be started.

What If I Know I Won’t Be Home When My Meal is Delivered?

Volunteers assist in delivering the meals Monday through Friday (except holidays and days with inclement weather) throughout Greene County. If you are unable to be home to receive your meal, please call the office at (518) 719-3555 to cancel your meal for that day by 9am.  Failure to cancel or receive delivered meals on three occurrences can result in removal from the program.