Nutrition Programs

The Texas Department on Aging statistics indicated that up to 85% of people over age 65 are at risk of malnutrition due to risk factors including isolation, poverty, disability, chronic prescription drug misuse, and dietary choices.

Funded by the Older Americans Act, the Nutrition Program serves senior citizens a nutritionally balanced meal, Monday through Friday, through a network of congregate sites and home-delivered meal service areas throughout Brazos Valley region.

The Brazos Valley Area Agency on Aging funds two programs addressing the nutritional needs of older persons in the Brazos Valley region.

Congregate Meals

A hot, or other appropriate meal, served to an eligible person which meets one-third (1/3) of the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) as established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences- National Research Council and which is served in a congregate setting. There is one type of congregate meal, as follows:

• Standard Meal: The regular meal from the standard menu that is served to all of the participants.

Congregate nutrition centers offer socialization, exercise, physical fitness, health education, information and assistance and a variety of other life-enhacing programs. The BVAAA provides transportation to selected nutrition sites in the Brazos Valley region for participants who meet selected eligibility requirements.

Home Delivered Meals

Hot, cold, frozen, dried, canned or supplemental food (with a satisfactory storage life) which provides a minimum of one-third (1/3) of the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) as established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences- National Research Council and which is delivered to an eligible person in his/her place of residence. The objective is to help the recipient sustain independent living in a safe and healthful environment. There are two types of home delivered meals, as follows:

• Standard Meal: The regular meal from the standard menu that is served to the majority of all of the participants.
• Therapeutic Meal or Liquid Supplement: A special meal or liquid supplement salt free, low sugar.

To qualify for the home-delivered meal program, a person must be at least 60 years of age and have an impairment that prevents attendance at a nutrition center. In the case of the home-delivered meal program, the individual is visited and reassessed annually for eligibility.

The primary target population for the nutrition program is the Brazos Valley low-income elderly, minorities, Alzheimer’s patients, and non-English speaking senior citizens, but is it not limited to these groups. Each individual requesting for nutrition is interviewed and screened for eligibility.

Persons interested in participating in the nutrition program may contact the BVAAA for the nearest service provider. For more information, call the Brazos Valley Area Agency on Aging at (979) 595-2800. If outside Brazos Valley Area, call toll free (800) 994-4000.