Food Assistance Programs provide food benefits, access to a healthy diet, and education on food preparation and nutrition to low-income households. Food Assistance Programs are available to all Floridians age 60 or older in each of Florida’s 67 counties and availability may vary locally. Food assistance Programs offer more than just a meal.
Dietitians and other professionals in the aging network also provide nutrition education, counseling, and risk screening. Contact your Aging and Disability Resource Center for information on meals and nutrition programs in your area:
- Congregate Meals
- Home Delivered Meals
- Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)
- Adult Care Food Program (ACFP) This U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funded program provides meal reimbursements to adult daycare centers The goal of this program is to support the provision of nutritious meals and/or snacks served to community-based adults attending adult daycare centers. The nutritious meals will support and possibly improve their nutritional status, enabling them to prolong living in their own community.
Home Delivered Meals:
Medicaid
Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-term Care (SMMC LTC) Plans can provide home delivered meals to enrolled members when approved by your long-term care plan. If you are enrolled in a SMMC LTC plan, contact your case manager for more information.
If you are interested in getting on the SMMC LTC program: Call your local Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) to be screened. To find your local ADRC, call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER (800-963-5337) or select your county.
Other Food Assistance Resources
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): SNAP offers nutrition assistance to eligible low-income individuals and families. Assistance is provided on an EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card and can be used to purchase food at different outlets. There are 3 options to apply:
- Online at www.myflorida.com/accessflorida
- By phone at 1-866-762-2237
- In person at a local ACCESS Customer Service Center
ACCESS (Automated Community Connection to Economic Self Sufficiency) Customer Service Center locations are listed online at www.myflorida.com/accessflorida. You can also find a nearby ACCESS center by calling 1-866-762-2237.
Fresh Access Bucks (FAB): Fresh Access Bucks allows you to double your SNAP with Florida Produce using the (free) Fresh Access Bucks! FAB makes fresh, local produce more affordable and accessible to SNAP participants by providing a one-to-one match for Florida grown fruits and vegetables. A SNAP cardholder who spends $40 of their SNAP benefits at a participating market receives an additional $40 to purchase fresh, local produce. To find a list of participating Fresh Access Bucks Outlets go to:
feedingflorida.org/promotional-materials/fresh-access-bucks-market-locations
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP):
CSFP works to improve the health and nutritional status of low-income seniors, age 60 and older, by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods. Monthly food packages and nutrition information as well as education on how to prepare and eat healthy nutritious meals are distributed to seniors who are eligible based on income and reside in a qualifying county.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): TEFAP provides nutritious, high-quality foods to low-income households as part of the USDA food distribution program. Food is distributed at food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens and other feeding sites.
Food Pantries and Food Banks: Food Pantries and Food Banks are places where healthy essentials, fresh produce, and non-perishable food items are readily available and free of charge to people in need. Some food banks have a separate elder program, especially tailored to help provide easy accessibility and diet specific foods. For more information, please contact your local Area Agency on Aging by calling 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) or visit FeedingFlorida.org. For a list of pantries, soup kitchens, and programs associated with the Feeding Florida/Feeding America Network located near you, please visit: feedingflorida.org/taking-action/find-food-now/
