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MEALS AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Southborough/Photo by Douglas Flynn

Eating well plays an important role in the health and well-being of the older adults and can be a key factor in a person’s ability to remain independent at home. 

Nutrition services help to address a number of challenges faced by seniors, including poor diets, health problems, food insecurity and loneliness. Nourishing meals, as well as nutrition screening, assessment, education and counseling, help to ensure that older adults attain and maintain optimal nutritional status.

Local agencies, including ASAPs, Councils on Aging and senior centers, offer a number of programs to help address the nutritional needs of elders. Those programs include home-delivered meals through Meals on Wheels, on-site congregate meals and food panties.

Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels):

BayPath Elder Services, Inc.

Our meals on wheels program will be operating on a reduced delivery schedule. We are working with community partners, our nutrition consortium, and the state to ensure we deliver meals to our most vulnerable consumers. We have already been providing frozen meals as back-up for our most at-risk consumers. As changes are made in the delivery schedule, our consumers will be notified.

Our priority is to ensure the health and wellness of our staff and consumers during this difficult time.

Address: 33 Boston Post Road West
Marlborough, MA 01752
Phone: 508-573-7246
Website: www.mealsonwheelsbaypath.org/Meals-on-Wheels.html
MetroWest towns served: Ashland, Dover, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Natick, Northborough, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Westborough

The water flows as the wheel turns at the grist mill in Sudbury /Photo by Douglas Flynn
  • The Elder Nutrition Program at BayPath delivers nutritious meals to seniors who are unable to leave their homes due to illness, disability or frailty. The purpose of the program is to encourage better health, reduce isolation and promote independence.
  • Meals are delivered by friendly volunteers Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. except on holidays.
  • Seniors age 60 and over are eligible to receive meals if they have physical, emotional or cognitive impairments, have inadequate kitchen facilities resulting in an inability to prepare nutritionally adequate meals, are unable to attend a congregate meal site or have no one to help with meal preparation.
  • Each meal is prepared with no added salt, must consist of at least 1/3 of the current Recommended Daily Allowance of nutrients and is designed for the special dietary needs of seniors.
  • A voluntary contribution of $3.00 per meal is requested to help defray the cost of the meal. A donation letter will be mailed to the home of the senior or to the home of their caregiver requesting a voluntary donation for meals provided. No one will be denied a meal due to a lack of funds. All donations are strictly confidential.
  • BayPath also offers nutrition screening, assessment, education and counseling help to ensure that older adults attain and maintain optimal nutritional status. Contact BayPath Elder Services Dietitian and Nutritionist Traci Robidoux, RD, LDN, at 508-573-7258 for more information.

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, we strongly encourage you to contact the agencies below to inquire about their operating restrictions during this crisis. 

HESSCO Elder Services
Address: One Merchant Street
Sharon, MA 02067
Phone: 781-784-4944
Website: www.hessco.org/nutrition
MetroWest towns served: Medfield, Millis, Norfolk

  • Home delivered hot lunch meals are available five days a week to people 60 years of age or older with limited mobility, and their spouses, who are unable to prepare meals because they lack the physical, emotional or cognitive ability to attend a meal site or prepare a nutritious meal, they have no facility to prepare meals or they have no formal or informal support system to provide a meal.
  • For those who are determined to be eligible, a hot meal can be delivered between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Others with additional needs may be able to receive a supper bag, frozen or weekend meals.
  • There is no charge for social meals or home-delivered meals, but a donation of $3.00 per meal to help defray the cost of the program is requested. A monthly donation statement will be mailed to your home at the end of each month listing the number of meals you received each month and the suggested voluntary donation. Donations are strictly voluntary and confidential.
  • Kosher, pureed, ground meals and Renal meals are also available to those who meet certain criteria.
  • Individual nutrition counseling is also available by calling the HESSCO nutrition office at 781-784-4944. Nutrition presentations and cooking demonstrations are given at the meal sites.

Tri-Valley, Inc.
Address: 10 Mill St.
Dudley, MA 01571
Phone: 800-286-6640
Website: www.trivalleyinc.org/nutrition-services/meals-on-wheels/
MetroWest towns served: Bellingham, Franklin, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford

  • Meals on Wheels are provided short-term or long-term to homebound elders age 60 and older who are unable to prepare a nutritionally balanced meal for themselves.
  • Meals are delivered between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays.
  • There are no income guidelines for Meals on Wheels and no fee for the service but a donation to help to pay for the program is requested. The suggested donation amount of $3.00 per meal is reflected in a monthly donation statement, but meals will not be denied if recipient cannot afford to donate.
  • A registered dietitian provides nutrition education programs at Senior Dining Center locations plus one-on-one nutrition counseling for homebound clients who receive Meals on Wheels.

Springwell
Address:  307 Waverley Oaks Road
Suite 205
Waltham, MA 02452
Phone: 617-926-4100
Website: www.springwell.com/nutrition.php
MetroWest towns served: Wellesley

  • To be eligible for federally subsidized meals, people must be age 60 or older, be unable to prepare a nutritionally balanced meal, and be unable to go to a senior dining site.
  • Special diets and Russian style meals are available.
  • Springwell does not charge home delivered meals recipients a fee for their meals, but does request a small donation in order to help pay for this program. Suggested donations are $2.50 per meal.
  • Springwell offers nutrition education by a registered dietitian at senior centers or other community settings. In addition, nutrition counseling is provided by a Registered Dietitian upon referral from a Springwell Care Advisor.

Needham Health Department
Address: 1471 Highland Ave.
Needham, MA  02492
Phone: 781-455-7500 x257
Websitewww.needhamma.gov/index.aspx?nid=2488
MetroWest towns served: Needham
Contact: Maryanne Dinell

  • Program delivers meals to individuals at home who are unable to purchase and/or prepare their own meals. Nutritionally balanced meals are delivered to Needham residents who fall into this category.
  • Volunteer drivers deliver a two-meal package (one hot, one cold) Monday through Friday.

Meal Sites:

BayPath Congregate Meals Program

BayPath provides lunch programs for seniors at six locations in our service area. These programs provide opportunities for socialization and companionship, while enjoying a well-balanced “home cooked” meal. All meals are prepared with no added salt and contain at least 1/3 of the current Recommended Daily Allowance of nutrients.

BayPath requests a voluntary contribution of $3.00 per meal. Those donations, along with state and federal funds, pay for the meals and their preparation. No one will be refused a meal due to the inability to contribute. Please call the location and let them know at least 24 hours in advance.

Meals are available at the following sites:

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, we strongly encourage you to contact the resources below to inquire about their operating restrictions during this crisis. 

Pearl Street Cupboard & Café
Address: 
10 Pearl Street
Framingham, MA 01702
Phone: 888-811-3291, x4922
Meal times: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 12 p.m.

Rose Kennedy Community Room
Address:
 1 Rose Kennedy Lane
Framingham, MA 01702

Meal times: Tuesday, Thursday 12 p.m.

Westborough Senior Center
Address: 4 Rogers Road
Westborough, MA 01581
Phone: 508-366-3000
Meal times: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 12:00 p.m.

Hudson Senior Center
Address: 29 Church Street
Hudson, MA 01749
Phone: 978-568-9638
Meal times: Monday – Friday 11:30 a.m.

Natick Senior Center
Address: 117 East Central Street
Natick, MA  01760
Phone: 508-647-6400
Meal times: Monday – Friday 11:45 a.m.

Fairbanks Senior Center
Address: 40 Fairbanks Road
Sudbury, MA 01776
Phone: 978-443-3055
Meal times: Tuesday, Wednesday at 12:00 p.m.

Marlborough Senior Center
Address: 250 Main Street
Marlborough, MA 01752
Phone: 508-485-6492
Meal times: Wednesdays 11:30 a.m.

HESSCO Elderly Lunch Program

HESSCO Elder Services’ nutrition program operates hot lunch programs serving individuals 60 years and older, and their spouses, who live in the south Norfolk County area, including the MetroWest communites of Medfield, Millis and Norfolk.

The meals have no added salt, are low in fat (under 30% of total calories) and are modified for diabetics. Each meal meets the federal government’s requirements that we provide 1/3 of the nutrients needed by an older American. A confidential donation of $3.00 for each meal is suggested.

Meals are available at the following sites in MetroWest:

Medfield Council on Aging
Address: 1 Icehouse Road
Medfield, MA 02052
Phone: 508-359-3665

Millis Council on Aging
Address: 900 Main Street
Millis, MA 02054
Phone: 508-376-7056
Meal times: Monday-Friday, 12 p.m.

Norfolk Senior Center
Address: 28 Medway Branch
Norfolk, MA 02056
Phone: 508-541-6872

Tri-Valley Community Dining Centers/Lunch Clubs

Anyone 60 and older is welcome to eat a noontime meal, Monday through Friday, at one of the 10 Community Dining Centers operated by Tri-Valley, including in Milford.

Milford Senior Center
Address: 60 North Bow Street
Milford, MA 01757
Phone: 508-478-8102).

Tri-Valley also operates Lunch Clubs at various locations throughout our service area, including Hopedale, Medway and Mendon. These clubs do not meet daily but they provide the same hot noontime meal that is available at Senior Dining Centers.

Reservations need to be made 48 hours in advance by calling the location directly or the Nutrition Office at 508-949-6640. A voluntary donation of $2.00 for each meal is suggested to help defray the meal cost.

Springwell Dining Sites

Springwell sponsors Dining Sites in many of its towns, including the following MetroWest locations:

Needham Senior Center Lunchtime Cafe
Address: Center at the Heights
300 Hillside Avenue
Needham, MA 02492
Phone: 781-455-7555
Meal times: Monday-Friday, 12 p.m.
Cost: A donation of $2 for all meals is requested to help defray the cost.
Note: All menus are designed by registered dietitians to meet one-third of the recommended dietary allowance. They have minimum sodium and include 1% milk.

Needham Housing Authority Evening Dinner
Address: 
Community Room on the corner of Linden Street and Chambers Street
Phone: To make a reservation, call Springwell, Inc. at 617-926-4100.
Cost: A donation of $1.50 for all meals is requested to help defray the cost.
Note: People 60 years of age and older and their spouses are welcome to participate, regardless of their income. All menus are designed by registered dietitians to meet one-third of the recommended dietary allowance. They have minimum sodium and include 1% milk. Meals include an entree, vegetable, potato, rice or pasta, bread and a dessert. Soup may also be included. low-sugar desserts are available.

Wellesley COA Senior Lunch Program

Address: Express Gourmet
Wellesley, MA 02481
Phone: 781-235-3961
Times: Tuesday and Friday, 11:45 a.m.
Cost: $4.00 per meal
Note: Must sign up in advance by calling the COA at 781-235-3961. Reservations should be made no later than 9:30 a.m. on the day prior. There is typically a limit of 18 people on each date and the COA will run a waiting list if needed. Contact Director of Senior Services Gayle Thieme at 781-235-3961 or gthieme@wellesleyma.gov with any questions.

Food Pantries:

A Place to Turn
Address: 99 Hartford Street
Natick, MA 01760
Phone: 508-655-8868
Email: email info@aplacetoturn-natick.org
Website: www.aplacetoturn-natick.org/
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Wednesday 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 5:30-7 p.m.
Note: Referral from social service agency, school or health care professional, photo ID and address verification necessary.

Ashland Food Pantry
Address: Ashland Community Center
162 West Union Street
Ashland, MA
Phone: 508-881-0140 x18
Distribution: Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Blessing Barn Food Pantry
Address: Bethany Assembly of God
15 Cape Road
Mendon, MA
Phone: 508-478-6603
Time: Tuesday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Note: Mendon residents and surrounding towns

Celebration International Church
Address: 6 Loker Street
Wayland, MA 01778
Phone: 508-653-6864

Church of Christ
Address: Exchange Street
Millis, MA
Phone: 508-376-5034
Distribution: Wednesday 10 a.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.

Daily Break Food Pantry
Address: 21 Exchange Street
Milford, MA
Phone: 508-478-4225
Time: Tuesday and Thursday, 6-7:30 p.m.
Note: Need agency referral, photo ID and proof of residency. Milford residents only, but will do emergency one-time only for persons living in other towns.

Franklin Food Pantry
Location: 43 West Central Street
Franklin, MA
Phone: 508-966-1274
Time: Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Note: Franklin residents only; must bring proof of residency.

Holliston Food Pantry Shelf
Address: 23 Water Street
Holliston, MA
Phone: 508-429-5392

Hope Worldwide New England
Address: 214 Concord Street
Framingham, MA
Phone: 508-848-2401
Distribution: Wed, Sat 9-12:00

Hudson Community Food Pantry
Address: 28 Houghton Street
Hudson, MA
Phone: 978-562-5280

Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry
Location: St. Blaise Roman Catholic Church
1158 South Main Street, Bellingham, MA
Phone: 508-966-1274
Time: Wednesday, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Note: Bellingham residents only; must show ID.

Lucy and Joe Press Food Pantry
JFS of MetroWest
Address: 475 Franklin Street, Suite 101
Framingham, MA 01702
Phone: 508-875-3100

Marlborough Community Cupboard
Address: 255 Main Street
Marlborough, MA
Phone: 508-481-4080
Distribution: Monday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Wednesday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Note: Will deliver for  homebound individuals.  The individual must contact the senior center to complete the application.

Medfield Food Cupboard
Address: P.O. Box 172
496 Main Street
Medfield, MA
Phone: 508-359-4958
Distribution: Thursday, 4-5:30 p.m.

Mendon Food Pantry
Address: Mendon Senior Center
62 Providence Street
Mendon, MA 01756
Phone: 508-478-6175
Website: www.mendonma.gov/TownGovernment/FoodPantry.aspx
Hours: The pantry is open the first Monday of the month or by appointment.
Note: Deliveries can be made to qualifying seniors or disabled persons who do not have transportation or are physically unable to come to the pantry.

MetroWest Harvest
Address: 300 Howard Street
Framingham, MA
Phone: 508-788-3663

Natick Service Council Vi Tutuny Food Pantry
Address: 2 Webster Street
Natick, MA
Phone: 508-651-3663
Distribution: Tuesday, Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday 5-8 p.m.

Needham Community Council Food Pantry
Address: 570 Hillside Avenue
Needham, MA 02494
Phone: 781-444-2415
Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 10:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Wednesdays 5-7 p.m.
Note: Must live in Needham and have a written letter of referral from either the Needham Housing Authority, if you live in Housing, or the Needham Board of Health.

Norfolk Food Pantry
Address: Emmanuel Baptist Church
63 Rockwood Road (Route 115)
Norfolk, MA 02056
Phone: 508-528-5862
Hours: Saturday, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Northborough Food Pantry
Address: 37 Pierce Street
Northborough, MA
Phone: 508-393-6897
Email: info@nfpantry.org
Distribution: Wednesday 9-10:30 a.m.; Thurs 6:30-8:30 pm

Open Door
Address: Sherrill Hall at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
39 East Central Street
Natick, MA
Phone: 508-655-1708
Hours: Evening meal every Thursday at 5 p.m.

Pearl Street Cupboard & Café
Address: 10 Pearl Street
Framingham, MA
Phone: 888-811-3291, x4922

Project Just Because
Address: 86 South Street
Hopkinton, MA
Phone: 508-435-6511

Salvation Army Food Pantry
Address: 35 Concord Street
Framingham, MA
Phone: 508-875-3341

Salvation Army Food Pantry
Address: 29 Congress Street
Milford, MA
Phone: 508-473-0786
Time: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Note: Mendon, Milford and Hopedale residents only. Must bring proof of residency or photo ID. Must complete an application which includes information on income.

Southborough Food Pantry
Address: Pilgrim Church, 15 Common Street
Southborough, MA
Phone: 508-485-4847

St. Bridget’s Food Pantry
Address: 15 Wheeler Ave
Framingham, MA 01702
Phone: 508-875-5959

Sudbury Community Food Pantry
Address: 160 Concord Road
Sudbury, MA
Phone: 978-443-7725

Tri-Valley Emergency Food Pantry
Address: 10 Mill St.
Dudley, MA 01571
Phone: 800-286-6640
Website: www.trivalleyinc.org/nutrition-services/
MetroWest towns served: Bellingham, Franklin, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford
Note: The Nutrition Program maintains an emergency food pantry for clients of Tri-Valley aged 60 and older. A three-day supply of shelf-stable food will be delivered to clients experiencing a temporary shortage.

Wayland Food Pantry
Address: Parmenter Community Health Care
266 Cochituate Road
Wayland, MA 01778
Phone: 508-358-0028; 508-358-3000

Wellesley Food Pantry
Address: 207 Washington St
Wellesley, MA 02481
Phone: 781-235-1188
Website: wellesleyfoodpantry.org
Hours: Tuesdays 9-11 a.m.; second Tuesday of the month 5:30-7 p.m.
Note: Dinner served in the Hills Church’s Assembly Hall on the second Tuesday evening of month from 5-7 p.m. Also open to receive donations of food on Monday mornings between 8:45-10 a.m.

Westborough Food Pantry
Address: Forbes Community House, 9 East Main Street
Westborough, MA
Phone: 508-366-3007
Distribution: Thursday 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 7-8 p.m.

Worcester County Food Bank
Address: 474 Boston Turnpike Road
Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Phone: 508-842-3663
Website: www.foodbank.org.

Farmers’ Markets:

Eating healthy is important for the people we care for and for caregivers themselves. But finding nutritious, affordable food can be challenging, especially when balancing all of the other duties that come with caring for a loved one.

One source of healthy and delicious food that is often overlooked are the many local farmers’ markets that are held regularly throughout the summer and fall. These farmers’ markets offer access to locally grown produce and other nutritious offerings at reasonable prices. Many even accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly referred to as food stamps).

Below is a list of farmers’ markets in the BayPath Elder Services, Inc.’s coverage area, with times and locations provided by the BayPath Nutrition Department.

Ashland
Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (6/11-10/8)
125 Front St. (EBT/SNAP accepted)

Framingham
Thursday 12-5:30 p.m. (June-October)
Village Green, Edgell Rd. , Framingham Center (EBT/SNAP accepted)

Hopkinton
Sunday 1-5 p.m. (6/12-10/16)
Town Common (EBT/SNAP accepted)

Marlborough
Sunday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (6/5-11/5)
106 Main St.

Natick
Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (5/21-10/1)
Natick Common

Wayland
Wednesday 12-5 p.m. (5/29-10/12)
Russell’s Garden Center 397 Boston Post Rd.

Westborough
Thursday 2-6 p.m. (6/2-9/29)

 

Congregational Church, 57 West Main St.

 

This is a partial listing courtesy of CaregivingMetroWest.org. CaregivingMetroWest.org does not license, endorse or recommend any providers. For information call BayPath Elder Services, Inc. at 508-573-7200.

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