Meals on Wheels America and NANASP Issue Joint Statement on House Appropriations Committee FY27 LHHS Bill

Meals on Wheels America and NANASP Commend House LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee and House Appropriations Committee Leadership for Slight Increase in Funding for the OAA Nutrition Program in FY27 Bill, and Note That Much More is Needed To Address Growing Crises of Senior Hunger and Isolation

ARLINGTON, Va., June 10, 2026 – Meals on Wheels America and the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Service Programs (NANASP) are grateful that the House Appropriations Committee advanced the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) appropriations bill, which includes a modest $3 million increase from $1.059 billion to $1.062 billion for the Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Program. The bill also includes a $2 million increase for OAA Title VI Native American Nutrition and Supportive Services. These increases represent a small step forward toward addressing the significant unmet need in communities across the country – particularly after the OAA Nutrition Program received its first funding cut in more than a decade in FY24, followed by years of flat funding.

The proposed increase of less than 3% of current funding for the OAA Nutrition Program fails to keep pace with significantly higher costs for food, fuel and program operations faced by local providers, as reflected in today’s announcement that the Consumer Price Index rose for a third straight month in May to 4.2% annually. Senior nutrition providers are left even further behind as the older adult population and demand for services rapidly grow.

Community-based senior nutrition providers, like Meals on Wheels, offer a proven solution delivering nutritious meals, social connection, safety checks and other supports that help older adults remain healthy and independent at home, where they want to be. Stronger federal investment in these services is the right thing to do and helps prevent far more costly health care and long-term care expenses.

“We are encouraged that the House Appropriations Committee advanced the FY27 LHHS appropriations bill with an increase in funding for the OAA Nutrition Program,” said Ellie Hollander, president and chief executive officer of Meals on Wheels America. “We thank Chairman Tom Cole, Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro and LHHS Subcommittee Chairman Robert Aderholt for their leadership and support of senior nutrition programs. This is a step in the right direction, but much more is necessary to meet rising need among America’s growing senior population and to address higher costs for food, fuel and program operations. We urge Congress to continue pushing for increased funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”

“NANASP appreciates the committee’s approval of increased funding for the Older Americans Act nutrition programs in the FY27 LHHS appropriations bill, but hopefully this is the first step toward more funding,” said Bob Blancato, executive director of NANASP. “These programs, which offer critical services in both homes and in group settings, are facing their greatest crisis since the pandemic. In our recent member survey, 82% said their nutrition program has been impacted by the most recent spike in food and gas prices. This has led to a loss of volunteers, increased waitlists and fewer meals being served, especially to homebound older adults in rural areas. One program in Oklahoma said, due to overwhelming costs, they are gradually phasing out homebound meal deliveries in areas outside city/town limits, impacting over 300 clients. This crisis is here and now for these proven programs. Increased funding is desperately needed.”

Meals on Wheels America and NANASP implore Congress to increase funding for the OAA Nutrition Program (Title III-C) from its current level of $1.059 billion to $2.285 billion. This investment would enable local senior nutrition providers to reach the additional 2.5 million low-income, food insecure older adults in need who are currently not being served. This funding recommendation includes:

• $722.622 million for congregate meals
• $1.407 billion for home-delivered meals
• $160 million for the Nutrition Service Incentive Program

Action by Congress to provide this additional funding is vital so that no senior in America is left to struggle with hunger alone.

To learn more, visit mealsonwheelsamerica.org/our-work/advocacy/

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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 members 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