Nutrition Program

The Nutrition Program provides nutritious meals at congregate dining sites and through Meals on Wheels delivery to homebound seniors. All meals meet one-third of the daily recommended intake established by the American Dietetic Association.

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels is the name given to the delivery of meals to homebound seniors.  Hot daily meal delivery is available to clients living in Iowa City, Coralville and Solon. Rural clients in Cedar, Iowa, Johnson and Washington counties may receive selected frozen or shelf-stable meals once every other week.  Breakfast bags are also available to Meals on Wheels clients containing the ingredients for eight nutritious meals including cereal, cereal bars, milk, bread, margarine, juice, and fresh fruit. Liquid meal supplements are also available.

Meals on Wheels clients must have two more more limitations to their activities of daily living that impair their ability to safely prepare and consume meals on their own.  An assessment will be performed at the client's home by an ESI Case Manager and all first-time participants must fill out an NAPIS form as required by the federal government.  Meal delivery may also be arranged on a private pay basis.

In-town meal delivery is most often done by a caring volunteer who has been screened by ESI.  Rural delivery is done by a paid driver who has been investigated and bonded.

Congregate Dining

Congregate dining combines good food and good friends.  Anyone can attend a congregate dining site, but those under 60 years of age will be asked to contribute $3.50 per meal.  Sites are available in Coralville, Hills, Iowa City, North Liberty, and Solon.  See below for more information about each site.  Congregate dining sites require no pre-registration, but all first-time participants must fill out an NAPIS form as required by the federal government.

Coralville

Coralville United Methodist Church, 806 13th Ave., Coralville, IA 52241

Call 319-356-5216 for more information.

Iowa City

28 S. Linn Street, Iowa City, IA 52240

The Johnson County Senior Center provides meals served daily from 11:30 AM until 1:00 PM in the Senior Center Assembly Room. 

Call 319-356-5212 for more information.

North Liberty

North Liberty Community Center, 530 W Cherry Street, North Liberty, IA 52317

Call 319-356-5216 for more information.

Solon

Solon United Methodist Church, 122 N. West Street, Solon, IA 52333

Call 319-644-2251 for more information.

Special Diets

Four special diets are available through both congregate dining and hot Meals on Wheels; no concentrated sweets (for diabetics), bland/soft, no added salt, and low cholesterol. Shelf stable meals are available in low sodium and diabetic choices.

Costs

The suggested client donation is $2.50 per meal for congregate dining and $2.75 per meal for Meals on Wheels.  The actual cost of the meal is higher and non-eligible diners will be asked to pay the full cost.  All contributions are based on a clients ability to pay.  Some clients pay less and some generously pay more.  In addition to client contributions, the two major funders of the Nutrition Program are the Heritage Area Agency on Aging and the United Way of Johnson County.

Contact Us

For more information about the Nutrition Program, contact ESI at 319-338-0515.

Elder Services, Inc.

1556 S 1st Avenue

Suite A

Iowa City, IA 52240

Phone: (319) 338-0515

Fax: (319) 338-0531