ARLINGTON, Va., April 6, 2026 – Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander and National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP) Executive Director Bob Blancato today issued the following statement regarding the president’s topline discretionary budget proposal for FY27:
At a time when nearly 14 million seniors in our country face food insecurity, we’re shocked that the president’s proposed budget for FY27 once again shortchanges vulnerable older Americans. Flat funding has, yet again, been designated for the Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Program, despite current levels leaving at least 2.5 million low-income, food insecure seniors without the meals and services they need. And, when you factor in how skyrocketing costs for food and fuel mean that local providers can serve fewer seniors with the same funding year over year, especially recently, this represents a further cut in purchasing power.
Furthermore, the proposed elimination of several important supplemental sources of funding for providers, such as both the Community Services and Community Development Block Grants, will make it even more difficult for them to help seniors in their communities lead nourished, connected and healthy lives. The proposed budget also eliminates funding for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and the USDA portion of the Nutrition Services Incentive Program, a move that risks increasing hunger among vulnerable seniors, harming the programs that serve them and adding pressure on American farmers and ranchers who already struggle with higher production costs and the impacts from trade policies.
The failure to adequately support vulnerable seniors and the nationwide network of nutrition programs that serve them is a huge missed opportunity to advance smart policy, improve the lives of those served and achieve taxpayer savings. Unfortunately, older Americans are still left waiting for their needs to be seen, addressed and prioritized.
As we recently outlined in a letter to the respective House and Senate appropriation committees signed by 50 national organizations, we urge congressional leaders to prioritize $2.285 billion in annual appropriations for the OAA Nutrition Program for FY27 to address the worsening crises of hunger, food insecurity, malnutrition, social isolation and loneliness. Millions of seniors’ health and wellbeing are in grave danger, and they are not just a forgotten population – they are our parents, grandparents, neighbors and friends. Many members of Congress are echoing this call for increased funding in Dear Colleague letters. It’s time that our elected officials make increased funding a reality.
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ABOUT MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA
Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting approximately 5,000 community-based providers across the country dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. Powered by a trusted volunteer workforce, this network delivers a comprehensive solution that begins with a meal and is proven to enable independence and well-being through the additional benefits of tailored nutrition, social connection, safety and much more. Through public awareness, funding, programming, education, research and advocacy, Meals on Wheels America empowers local providers to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. At a time when demand for Meals on Wheels services is growing, and many seniors are left waiting, Meals on Wheels America is dedicated to helping End the Wait™ and ensuring every senior who needs Meals on Wheels gets it. For more information, or to locate a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org. You can also find Meals on Wheels America on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, Bluesky, TikTok and X.
Press Contact: press@mealsonwheelsamerica.org
ABOUT NANASP
Founded in 1977, the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP) is proud to be a leading organization advocating for policies and programs nourishing older adults. Our 1,000 member programs represent a wide range of essential services providers who support the nutrition, health and life quality of over 4 million older adults. For more information, go to nanasp.org.
Press Contact: lborth@nanasp.org
