Proper nutrition is important throughout life and especially critical in late adulthood. Yet, it is estimated that 27% of older adults who live at home are at risk for malnutrition. The physical consequences of malnutrition in older adults can range from increased risk of falls to reduced immune function, all of which can result in injury, illness, and increased risk of fatality.

In fact, over 5 million seniors aged 60 and older were food insecure in 2021 — that’s one in 14 seniors or 7% of the senior population who didn’t have consistent access to quality food to meet their needs. 

Multiple factors contribute to food insecurity, like health conditions that make it difficult for a person to shop or cook, having no or unreliable transportation to and from the grocery store, and lacking the financial means to consistently buy nutritious foods. 

Fortunately, programs and services in the Seattle area and King County can help provide meals for delivery to seniors for free or affordable prices. These programs are a safety net for our community’s seniors, helping make sure they get the nutritious meals they need to maintain their health and longevity.

If you or your senior loved one in the Seattle or King County area could benefit from having prepared meals delivered to your door, check out these meal delivery resources below.

How Seattle and King County seniors can get home-delivered meals 

Meals on Wheels: Sound Generations operates the King County-area Meals on Wheels program and delivers meals to King County residents aged 60 and over who have difficulty shopping or cooking. They ask for a $6 donation per meal and can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, low-sodium, and kosher diets upon request. Once a week, recipients receive seven to 14 frozen and packaged meals that can be heated in a microwave or conventional oven. 

Mom’s Meals: Mom’s Meals delivers to many areas in the United States, and King County residents can benefit from this company’s nutritious meal delivery service. The meals are just $7.99 each, and customers can choose from a number of menu options. Gluten-free, renal, and pureed diet options are available for one dollar more per meal. The meals are delivered to your home in the right-size portions, are ready to heat, and can last up to two weeks after delivery when refrigerated.

Lifelong’s Chicken Soup Brigade: Lifelong, a 40-year-old organization, operates to support people living with illnesses. They aim to improve “access to nutritious food, stable housing, and vital health resources for people living with diabetes, HIV, kidney disease, and other life-challenging illnesses.” Chicken Soup Brigade’s food services can help seniors get nutritious, ready-to-eat meals, including medically tailored meals. Its Welcome Home program supports people by supplying them with 12 weeks of meals after they’ve come home from a hospital stay.
SouthEast Seattle Senior Center: The SouthEast Seattle Senior Center (SESSC) hosts lunch for seniors who can travel to the center and delivers meals to qualifying seniors who can’t make it to the center through its meal delivery program. The SESSC designs its meal delivery program dishes to provide quality nutrition and arrive ready to heat.