Abstract
The Older Americans Act, Title III-C authorizes the Nutrition Services Program (NSP) that is administered by the Administration on Aging within the Administration for Community Living. Key components of the NSP are the congregate nutrition program and the home-delivered nutrition program. The purpose of the NSP is to: a) reduce hunger and food insecurity among older individuals; b) promote socialization of older individuals; c) promote the health and well-being of older individuals; and d) delay adverse health conditions for older individuals. Between 2005 and 2015, the number of congregate meals clients ranged from 830,000 to 940,000 (mean = 879,000) and the number of home-delivered meals clients ranged from 1,567,000 to 1,749,000 (mean = 1,653,000). To provide background and context about the NSP, this paper will highlight the growth of the program and the rationale and purpose for the recent national evaluation of the NSP.