ABSTRACT
Meals on Wheels organizations have a notable history beginning in the US in Pennsylvania in the early 1950s and predating the federal supports to deliver nutrition to homebound older adults. Meal program providers, like Meals on Wheels, are able to leverage this public-private partnership and the flexibility states are allowed to tailor their nutrition services programs to truly meet the changing needs of their community. There are several types of meal offerings made available for older adults. Both home-delivered and congregate models of meal delivery are moving to increase the choice in meal offerings, as well as provide culturally appropriate and medically tailored meal offerings. As a trusted community-based entity, they are able to innovate and adapt to the changing needs of their older adult population. Innovation in the delivery system is not the only modification that many Meals on Wheels programs are looking to make.
