NC Senior Hunger Initiative Toolkit

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In 2022, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Senior Nutrition Program, which has positively impacted older adults across the country since 1972. As part of this celebration, the North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services (NC DAAS) would like to highlight senior nutrition programs in North Carolina on this website.

To see featured programs, click here or on the graphic to the right. There’s still time to participate! Send the following information via email to karen.appert@dhhs.nc.gov to highlight the activities in your program:

• Program name

• Location

• Brief background of what is being shared, including any program photos and content

• Please ensure participants have signed a release form to share their photo.

ABOUT THE NC SENIOR HUNGER INITIATIVE

The North Carolina Senior Hunger Initiative, a project of the NC DAAS brings together government, private sector, nonprofit, philanthropic, and other groups working on solutions to older adult malnutrition and food insecurity.

The unprecedented growth in North Carolina’s older adult population and the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated the issues of older adult food insecurity and malnutrition, increased the number of older adults needing food and nutrition services, and complicated the ability for existing programs to provide services to older adults in need.

Malnutrition is an under-recognized but growing health crisis for older adults in the US and a burden to the state economy. There are currently no national or state public health goals on malnutrition, and malnutrition quality measures are not included in quality incentive programs

Studies indicate a correlation between household food insecurity and a decline in functional health, creating barriers to self-care management for those with chronic conditions. This increases the possibility of negative disease outcomes and greater high-cost healthcare utilization.

RESOURCES

Informational resources with state and national data about older adults, malnutrition and food insecurity:

NC Senior Hunger Brochure

NC Sr Hunger PowerPoint

DMT Report

DMT Infographic

SNAC Flyer

UNC Study Article

FRAC Flyer

Feeding America Senior Hunger

MOW NC Facts Sheet

NC State Aging Profile

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Below are additional website links to agencies, academic institutions, and organizations working to reduce older adult malnutrition and food insecurity:

• NC DAAS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/aging-and-adult-services

• NC Meals on Wheels: https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/about-membership/state-associations/north-carolina

• NC Coalition on Aging: https://nccoalitiononaging.org/

• UNC Chapel Hill Department of Nutrition: https://sph.unc.edu/nutr/unc-nutrition/

• NC Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: https://www.eatrightnc.org/

• Defeat Malnutrition Today: https://www.defeatmalnutrition.today/

• Feeding America: https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/senior-hunger-facts

• American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) : https://www.nutritioncare.org/

• Food Research and Action Center (FRAC): https://frac.org/

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

NC Department of Health and Human Services

Division of Aging and Adult Services