It is estimated that using USDA products results in a 25 percent savings on the cost of meals. This approach also helps assure the quality of meals and enables the program to better respond to the special needs and requests of participants. SCNP is unusual in the training that it expects of its employees. Participants are also actively involved in quality improvement efforts through informal advisory boards at each of the nutrition sites. Since 1988 SCNP has operated within the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services, which also provides adult day care, in-home aide services, transportation, and a number of other services to elderly and disabled adults.
SCNP clients benefit from close links to other emerging home and community care services.
Since the program began in 1974, SCNP has increased service dramatically.