Quick Tips: OAA Nutrition Program

Funding Options

Quick Tips are informal documents about the Older Americans Act (OAA) Title III-C 

Senior Nutrition Program (SNP). These sheets highlight flexibilities of the federal OAA 

statute and address common misunderstandings about the OAA. Below each point 

are links to reference materials and inspiration from successful program projects.i

See Establishing a Fee-for-Service Private Pay System SNP guide.

Voluntary contributions must be used to expand the service to which they 

were given. For example, contributions given for a congregate meal go to the 

congregate meal program. Voluntary contributions should supplement, not replace 

OAA funding. Participants should be able to make contributions confidentially.

Voluntary Contributions Guide — Key concepts, general guidance, and required and 

prohibited acts related to voluntary contributions.

Increasing Voluntary Contributions at Congregate Meal Sites — GSA pilot study. 

Reimbursement levels can only be accurately set if the actual cost of the meal 

is known. The cost of food is only part of a meal’s actual cost. Personnel, 

production, overhead, facility, and transportation costs should all be included.

Identifying the Total Cost of a Meal — Summary brief for meal cost calculations. 

What Does a Meal Cost? (Dane County, WI) — Stakeholder education article.
Knowing participation trends for meals, contributions, and services can help 

identify unpopular parts of the program. This information can be used to 

adjust services and increase participation.

Tips to Keep Those We Serve at the Table (recording) and takeaway sheet — ACL and 

NCOA webinar from the Power Up Your Congregate Meal Program series 

(registration/sign-in required).

Understanding Participants’ Monetary Contributions — ACL issue brief.

Local nutrition service providers can engage in “for pay” arrangements to sell 

nutrition services (meals or nutrition counseling), rent out the kitchen, do 

private catering, and contract with health plans to provide members with nutrition 

services.

Establishing a Fee-for-Service Private Pay System — Senior Nutrition Program guide.

Tips to Attract New Participants (recording) and takeaway sheet— ACL and NCOA 

webinar from the Power Up Your Congregate Meal Program series (registration/signin required).

Participants have the choice to use SNAP benefits as a voluntary contribution; 

however, using their limited benefits on a program that does not require 

payment may not be in their best interest.

Voluntary Contributions Guide — Key concepts, general guidance, and required and 

prohibited acts related to voluntary contributions.

Donated foods are not specifically prohibited in the OAA. The OAA directs Title 

III-C meal providers to follow state and local food safety codes on acceptable 

food donations. State unit on aging (SUA) policies may provide additional guidelines. 

Acceptable donated food typically includes fresh fruit and vegetables; undamaged, 

shelf-stable, canned or packaged foods; and wild game (not including fish) from a 

licensed processor. SNPs may not accept USDA foods as a donation.

Partnerships with Food Banks and Other USDA Programs
OAA senior nutrition programs may be eligible recipient agencies for The 

Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). This includes projects that 

operate congregate nutrition sites and projects that provide home-delivered meals. 

TEFAP-eligible agencies may vary from state to state.

TEFAP Part 251 Regulation

Partnerships with Foodbanks and USDA Programs

OAA meal programs may be able to provide Title III-C meals in the Medicaid 

Waiver programs. Title III-C meals can be provided as long as other 

assistance programs are not paying for the same meal. Follow SUA requirements for 

any nutrition standards.

Healthcare Policy and Practice Opportunities for Senior Nutrition Programs

o Part 1: The Evolving Healthcare Legislation Landscape

o Part 2: Launching an In-Home Medical Nutrition Therapy Program

 

Additional Quick Tip Sheets 

• Congregate Meals

• Home-delivered Meals

• NSIP

• OAA Basics

• SNP Nutrition Guidelines

• Nutrition Service Reporting

Find more resources at the Nutrition and Aging Resource Center.

i In many areas the OAA gives SUAs the authority to add other requirements beyond those that are 

included in the OAA. So certain practices, which might be allowable under the OAA and perhaps 

included in this document, might be handled differently in some states or local areas. These documents 

only reflect information about the OAA nutrition program from a federal perspective; state and local 

variances are NOT covered.