Promoting Healthy Aging among Older Adults through Food Assistance Advocacy

Sarah M. Bannon, PhD; Astrid N. Zamora, PhD, MPH; Bengucan Gunen, MSPH; Irina Mindlis, PhD - Aging SIG 

Food security is a cornerstone of healthy aging. With an aging population and policy changes on the horizon, ensuring food security for older adults will require more of our collective efforts to promote moving forward.

Food security is defined as the “right to feed oneself in dignity” by the United Nations and is internationally recognized as a basic human right. In the United States, the right to food has never been federally recognized, and only one state (Maine) recognizes the right to food in its constitution. Federal programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), were impacted by the recent government shutdown. Though the government has reopened, pending funding cuts to SNAP and additional work requirements may leave millions without consistent access to food. 

While food insecurity impacts people of all ages, older adults experience unique challenges and potentially more severe health consequences. Older adults are more vulnerable to disabling conditions, and nutritional intake is a key predictor of risk and management of chronic (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease) and age-related degenerative disease (e.g., sarcopenia, frailty, cognitive decline)¹. Mobility limitations, social isolation, and ongoing health concerns are major barriers to food access for older adults that can make purchasing, preparing, and consuming food more difficult. However, the greatest risk factor for food insecurity among older adults is financial –fixed or insufficient income coupled with rising food costs.

The more than 11 million adults over age 50 who have relied on SNAP comprise over a third of total SNAP participants,² receiving an average benefit of $6/day. In July 2025, new legislation was passed to require those under 64 to fulfill new work requirements in order to maintain SNAP benefits. This policy, intended to reduce the number of monthly SNAP users, goes into effect in December 2025. These changes will likely leave millions of older adults without consistent access to food in the coming months. 

SNAP assistance has been a critical resource for older adults and the health benefits of enrollment are clear, both in terms of self-reported health and disease risk as well as healthcare usage and costs.³ Longitudinal studies of 10-year periods link SNAP enrollment among older adults to slower rates of cognitive decline and demonstrate its potential to prevent cognitive decline and neurogenerative disease, with enrollment linked an additional 3 years of cognitive health for older adult recipients.⁴ 

In the face of drastic policy changes, collective actions matter more than ever! Promoting food security among older adults will require our time, resources, and continued advocacy. 

Avenues for collective action can include:

• Advocacy for expanded access to local, state, and federal programs. Including:
  • Federal nutrition programs such as SNAP, The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs. Click here for a comprehensive list.
• Donations to organizations. Including national organizations such as Meals on Wheels and Feeding America that provide tailored support to older adults. 
• Volunteering at food pantries and other community organizations. Including from organizations that provide monthly food boxes tailored to the nutrition and dietary needs of older adults, senior food pantries and farmer’s markets supplying free groceries, and mobile pantries. Click here to find resources in your area. 
• Assessing food security in behavioral health care. Universal screening can improve identification of needs and connection to resources. Consider using tools such as the Food Insecurity Experience Scale throughout behavioral health visits.
• Developing Food as Medicine partnerships. These approaches help healthcare providers connect patients to food resources and involve policy initiatives that expand access to food. Consider joining a national network or developing a local partnership. 
• Contribution to scientific research on policy implications. Additional research on the long-term impact of food policy initiatives can assist with advocacy efforts. Our field is uniquely positioned to contribute to these efforts and make a lasting impact.

Join us! 

The Aging SIG is invested in research, community, and policy initiatives focused on nutrition and food security. Please join us for our next meeting on February 25, 2026 from 2-3pm EST.

References: 

1. Hall B, Brown JL. Food security among older adults in the United States. Top Clin Nutr. 2005;20(4):329-338.
2. How SNAP Works and Who Qualifies for Food Assistance. Accessed December 8, 2025. https://www.aarp.org/advocacy/qualify-for-snap-benefits/
3. Carlson S, Llobrera J. SNAP Is Linked With Improved Health Outcomes and Lower Health Care Costs.
4. Da L, Jin Z, Xu Q, et al. Association Between Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( SNAP ) Participation and Cognitive Decline Among Older Americans: A 10‐Year Longitudinal Study. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2025;73(11):3464-3474. doi:10.1111/jgs.70122