Established in 1975, our mission is to maintain the independence of older persons through improved nutritional status and social interaction.
Hot, freshly prepared, nutritious meals are available
throughout Yolo County in the communities of Woodland, West
Sacramento, Davis, Knights Landing, Winters. Acceptance of meals
is not contingent on any income guidelines. Meals
are available to all seniors, age 60 and over.
Meals are planned by a registered dietitian and prepared in a central kitchen by an experienced food service team. These meals provide 1/3 of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for seniors.
The Home Delivered Meals Program offers temporary or long term
service to those 60 years and older and their spouse regardless of
age, who through illness or recent hospitalization, cannot prepare
nutritious meals for themselves and do not have friends, relatives
or paid help to provide assistance.
Volunteer drivers deliver the meals to clients on a regular schedule
between 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., weekdays. A frozen meal is
offered for legal holidays. In many cases, we are the sole support
system that allows a senior to remain living independently in their
own home.
Meals are offered at senior/community centers throughout the County. The opportunity to socialize with peers is as important a part of the program as the meal itself. Special programs, cards, games, or time to "just chat" are available at the nutrition sites during the week.
The Elderly Nutrition Program receives funds from Title III of the Older Americans Act through the Area 4 Agency on Aging, & USDA. Funds are also received from Community Development Block Grants through Yolo County and the cities of Woodland and Davis, Participant Donations, Private and Corporate Donations, two annual fundraisers through Friends of Meals on Wheels and Catering Jobs. The participants are requested to contribute towards the cost of the meal daily or weekly. No minimum amount is required and contributions are confidential.
Government funding has remained the same or decreased over the years, while the number of needy seniors continues to rise. In addition, rising costs for food, food supplies, minimum wage increases, insurance and gas prices have made it more difficult to make ends meet and feed all those that are in need of meals.