March 9, 2022 – The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Senior Servings Program has distributed more than 100,000 healthy, frozen take-home meals. The program, which debuted in 2020, is available at 32 Regional Food Bank partner locations in central and western Oklahoma.

“The Senior Servings Program is so important to the older Oklahomans we serve, bringing much needed nutrition to some of our state’s most vulnerable residents and giving them the independence of cooking their own meals,” said Stacy Dykstra, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank.

The meals are available to adults over the age of 60 who have been identified by Regional Food Bank partners as having limitations in endurance, cognition and physical mobility. These limitations directly impact senior food insecurity and nutritional status by making things like acquiring, preparing, cooking and consuming meals more difficult. According to Feeding America’s “State of Senior Hunger” report, food insecure seniors are 32% more likely to suffer from at least one limitation compared to food secure seniors.

The program began in September 2020 thanks to a grant from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET). Senior Servings meals are planned and created by the Regional Food Bank’s production kitchen, Hope’s Kitchen, in partnership with The Education and Employment Ministry and students studying dietetics at local universities.

“We are so appreciative of the support from TSET to make the Senior Servings Program a reality,” Dykstra said. “Now with a partnership with TEEM and local collegiate dietetic students, the program has evolved to be a collaborative effort.”

The meals meet senior nutritional needs, are low sodium and contain a grain, protein and a vegetable or fruit and are packaged in easy-to-handle trays. In addition to receiving grocery assistance, seniors are allowed to take home up to 12 meals per month while visiting a participating Regional Food Bank partner.

Frances receives Senior Servings meals each month when she visits the New Emergency Resource Agency Food & Resource Center in Ponca City.

“I appreciate these meals because I recently had shoulder replacement surgery and it is a lifesaver to be able to get these meals out of the freezer and easily prepare them,” Frances said. “Plus, it is also a big help on my monthly grocery budget.”

Visit rfbo.org/get-help to find a listing of Regional Food Bank partners screening for Senior Servings meals.