The Best Home-Delivered Meals for Seniors

Nutritious, home-delivered meals can help seniors stay healthy, manage chronic conditions, and reduce the stress of grocery shopping and preparing meals for themselves. But, above all, home-delivered meals can help seniors maintain their independence. In fact, 93% of seniors who receive home-delivered meals from the OAA Nutrition program say that the service helps them remain independent in their own homes.

In this article, we’ll explore where to find the best home-delivered meals for seniors. We’ll also discuss how to choose between different programs. Plus, we’ll help you find options for free and low-cost meals.  

Key takeaways

• State-funded and community groups offer free or low-cost senior nutrition programs to seniors who aren’t able to cook for themselves.

• Some commercial meal delivery services provide pre-cooked, ready-to-eat meals, while others offer meal kits that require assembly.

• Qualifying for free and low-cost meals often requires proof of income and residency.

• When choosing between programs, consider how many meals a senior needs each week and potential costs. It’s also important to think about how much meal prep the recipient is comfortable with.

Meals on Wheels

Cost: Often sliding scale or donation-based, but it differs based on location.

Meals on Wheels is a community-based meal delivery service for seniors. It provides 251 million meals each year to seniors who have trouble cooking for themselves. Meals may be hot, frozen, or shelf-stable, depending on the local program and the recipient’s needs.

Mom’s Meals

Cost: $9.49 per meal or less.

Mom’s Meals offers ready-made, home meals for seniors delivered to homes across the U.S. These meals cater to specific medical needs, offering diabetes-friendly, heart-friendly, lower-sodium, and renal-friendly options. They also accept many prepaid benefits cards.

bistroMD

Cost: Plans start at $149.90 per week with $19.95 shipping.

bistroMD is a subscription meal option where frozen meals are delivered to your door as often as once per week. Customers can pick meals from seven plans. These include heart-healthy, diabetic, and menopause options.

Magic Kitchen

Cost: $10–15 per meal, plus shipping.

Magic Kitchen delivers frozen meals, soups, side dishes, and desserts. Customers can pick from several diet options, including general senior health, diabetic-friendly, dialysis-friendly, and renal health menus. 

Top Chef Meals

Cost: $8.50-$11.95 per meal, plus shipping in some areas.

Top Chef Meals offers dietitian-developed, fully customizable meals that chefs prepare fresh for each order. This means that customers select their own main, side, and vegetable. Those with special dietary needs can choose from their low-carb, low-fat, low-sodium, and diabetic meals.

Factor

Cost: Starting at $10.99 per meal, plus shipping.

Factor provides chef-crafted, dietitian-approved meals. This includes breakfast, smoothies, and frozen desserts. Customers can choose from high-protein, fiber-filled, calorie-smart, and low-carb options.

Snap Kitchen

Cost: Subscriptions start at $11.88 per meal, plus shipping.

Snap Kitchen offers over 100 ready-to-eat meals, drinks, and snacks as a flexible weekly subscription. All are free from preservatives, antibiotics, and hormones. Items can also be picked up from Snap Kitchen’s locations in Texas.

Blue Apron

Cost: $7.99-$12.49 per serving, plus shipping.

Blue Apron offers meal kits, which are pre-portioned ingredients that come with a recipe and take less than 30 minutes to prepare. They also offer assemble-and-bake options, which are one-pan meals that have minimal prep.

HelloFresh

Cost: $9.99–$12.49 per serving, plus shipping.

HelloFresh sells meal kit subscriptions, with menus that change weekly. Customers can choose their meals based on their dietary preferences, including carb-smart, calorie-smart, and high-protein meals.

Amazon Fresh

Cost: $3.99–$6.99 per serving, plus shipping.

Amazon Fresh can be used to purchase groceries, but it also offers prepared meals, including main dishes, salads, soups, side dishes, and snack boxes.

Types of senior meal delivery programs

There are a variety of options for finding affordable meal delivery for seniors.

Meals on Wheels and community-based programs

Community-based programs, such as Meals on Wheels, provide meals to seniors in need. People are usually eligible for these programs based on their income. Meals are typically delivered by volunteers, who check in with the senior and provide them with a social connection.

Government-funded senior nutrition programs

The Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Program provides meals to those in need. These are usually offered in a congregate style, but they can be delivered to individuals who cannot leave their homes.  Since 56% of people in OAA Nutrition Programs live alone, congregate dining offers them a chance to socialize while enjoying a meal. States and counties may also offer meal assistance programs.

Some states also have affordable meal delivery seniors can access via SNAP, such as InstaCart and Amazon Fresh. However, it’s important to note that delivery fees aren’t included. 

Commercial meal delivery services for seniors

For seniors who enjoy doing some cooking or don’t qualify for community-based or government-funded meal programs, commercial meal delivery services are an option.

Some companies, such as Mom’s Meals and Magic Kitchen, focus on home meals for seniors. Other traditional meal delivery options, such as Factor and Snap Kitchen, aren’t made with seniors in mind but often offer menus for specific diets, such as vegetarian or high protein. 

Some seniors may find grocery delivery and meal kits helpful. They can still enjoy the process of cooking without the stress of organizing ingredients.

Healthcare-related meal delivery

Seniors recently discharged from the hospital or on specific diets for health reasons may qualify for meal delivery programs. Those who have Medicaid or a Medicare Advantage plan can check if their plan covers post-hospital discharge meal programs. 

How much does meal delivery cost?

The cost of meal delivery services can vary. For community-based meal delivery services, such as Meals on Wheels for seniors, meals may be offered free of charge. For national meal delivery kits, costs can range from $6.99 to $12.99 per serving.

How to find senior meal delivery services

In this section, we’ll go over how to find and sign up for local elderly meal delivery programs.

Local senior meal programs

To find local senior meal delivery services:

• Use the online Eldercare Locator.

• Call the 211 helpline.

• Contact the local Area Agency on Aging.

• Ask healthcare providers for referrals and recommendations.

Application processes and eligibility information

Many programs, like the OAA, require no income verification. However, some programs may require income verification. Programs may also require ID to verify age and residency.

While some programs do have waitlists, people with health needs, low income, and a lack of other support may be prioritized. Some programs may be able to provide people with frozen meals or offer congregate dining while they wait. 

If individuals are denied, they’ll receive a note with the reason why. If someone disagrees with the decision, they can submit an appeal.

Starting and managing meal delivery services

Once seniors have been accepted, they’ll be contacted so that the service can learn more about their dietary needs and any allergy information. Some programs will also provide meals to participants’ spouses.   

Usually, the recipient is required to be home to receive the meal delivery. This is so that the delivery driver can check in and ensure that the recipient is doing okay. 

Bottom line

There are a variety of home-delivered meal options for seniors. Some options, such as community-based programs, provide meals to those in need at no or low cost. But there are also commercial meal delivery services, where seniors can choose which meals to purchase from a menu. When deciding between meal programs, it’s important to consider income, health needs, and how many meals per week are needed. Seniors or their loved ones can contact their Area Agency on Aging to start exploring available programs.

Frequently asked questions

How much do home-delivered meals cost for seniors?

The cost of home-delivered meals for seniors depends on the service. Some programs offer free meals to seniors in need. Commercial home-delivered meals can cost $6.99 to $12.99 per serving.

Does Medicare cover meal delivery for seniors?

Original Medicare doesn’t cover meal delivery for seniors. However, some Medicare Advantage plans may provide coverage for meal delivery.

How do I qualify for Meals on Wheels?

To qualify for Meals on Wheels, you usually need to be at least 60 years old. You also must be unable to leave your home and unable to shop for or prepare your own meals. However, requirements can vary based on the community.

What's the best meal delivery service for elderly people?

Meals on Wheels, Mom’s Meals, and Magic Kitchen are often recommended for their senior-specific meal deliveries.

Can family members order meal delivery for seniors?

Yes. Several commercial meal delivery services, such as Mom’s Meals, Magic Kitchen, Factor, and Snap Kitchen, let you buy meals to send to someone else. Some services may also offer gift cards.

Are there free meal delivery programs for seniors?

Meals on Wheels, the Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Program, and many local groups provide free or low-cost meals. These programs are usually income-based.

Sources

Administration for Community Living. (n.d.). Nutrition services. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://acl.gov/programs/health-wellness/nutrition-services

Campbell, A. D., Godfryd, A., Buys, D. R., & Locher, J. L. (2015). Does participation in home-delivered meals programs improve outcomes for older adults? Results of a systematic review. Journal of Nutrition in Gerontology and Geriatrics, 34(2), 124-167. https://doi.org/10.1080/21551197.2015.1038463

Meals on Wheels America. (2025, February). What we deliver: 2025 national snapshot fact sheet. https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/docs/default-source/fact-sheets/2025/what-we-deliver_2025_national_snapshot_fact_sheet_feb25.pdf

National Council on Aging. (2024, August 14). Home-delivered meals for older adults: A caregiver’s guide. https://www.ncoa.org/article/home-delivered-meals-for-older-adults-a-caregivers-guide/

National Council on Aging. (2024, January 24). Where to get food help now: A guide for older adults. https://www.ncoa.org/article/where-to-get-food-help-now/

Thomas, K. S., & Mor, V. (2013). Providing more home-delivered meals is one way to keep older adults with low-care needs out of nursing homes. Health Affairs, 32(10), 1796-1802. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2013.0390

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living. (2017, March). Older Americans Act nutrition programs: Fact sheet. https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/news%202017-03/OAA-Nutrition_Programs_Fact_Sheet.pdf

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living. (2024, April). Person-Centered Dining Choices (Author). https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/nutrition/Person-CenteredDiningChoices_508.pdf