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Date: Wednesday, March 19, 1997 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Moya Benoit Thompson (202)401-4541
Through this partnership, AoA and GMF will collaborate to establish up to 20 model projects across the country aimed at testing the benefits of providing a cost-effective second meal, in the form of breakfast, to homebound older individuals participating in the Older Americans Act home-delivered nutrition program. General Mills, a leading manufacturer of cereal and other foods, will also assist in creating and disseminating training materials for senior nutrition providers nationwide and will help in the collection of critical data about the meal recipients and their special needs.
Secretary Shalala said, "As we look for cost-effective ways to better serve our growing number of older consumers, in particular those who are homebound, these types of partnerships between the federal government and private industry are critical. This alliance will work towards maintaining adequate nutrition and nutrition services for older Americans in order to prevent premature or unnecessary institutionalization and hospitalization."
The demand for home-delivered meals has grown. Since 1980, home-delivered meals have increased from 22 percent to 49 percent of total meals served through the Elderly Nutrition Program. Forty-one percent of the nation's home-delivered meals program have waiting lists.
The Elderly Nutrition Program is the largest community nutrition program in the country targeted to older Americans. The Administration on Aging works in partnership with its 57 State Units on Aging, 661 area agencies on aging, over 200 tribal organizations, and 27,000 service providers, including over 2,000 nutrition providers to administer the program. Since its inception 25 years ago, the Older Americans Act Elderly Nutrition Program has served at least 4 billion meals to nutritionally at-risk and in-need participants. Each day, the Elderly Nutrition Program, which includes congregate meals served in community-based senior centers and home-delivered meals, provide an average of 1 million meals to older Americans. In FY 1995, approximately 242 million meals were served to approximately 3.4 million older persons. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also provides support to meals programs through its "cash-in-lieu of commodities" program and works cooperatively with HHS in providing nutrition services.
Robyn I. Stone, Acting Assistant Secretary for Aging, said, "We commend the community spirit demonstrated by General Mills and applaud them for recognizing the critical need for the federal government and the private sector to work together to serve those who need our help the most."
This announcement was made in conjunction with the administration's recognition of the 25th Anniversary of the Older Americans Act Elderly Nutrition Programs created by legislation signed into law March 22, 1972.