Provincial Food Security Program
What is food security?
Food security support refers to programs and services that help older adults have consistent, reliable access to nutritious, affordable, and culturally appropriate food. These supports are designed for individuals who may face barriers related to income, mobility, health, or social isolation.
Unlike traditional food programs, food security supports are tailored to meet the diverse and evolving needs of older adults and may include:
- Home-delivered meals, such as Meals on Wheels or fresh/frozen meal delivery for those unable to cook or shop independently.
- Collective kitchens and community cooking programs that build skills, connection, and access to healthy food.
- Supported grocery shopping and delivery services, including food box programs.
- Culturally relevant food programming, delivered in partnership with local cultural and Indigenous-led organizations.
- Food access supports during life transitions, such as returning home from hospital, living with limited mobility, or lacking natural supports.
- Innovative community-based approaches that improve access to food and demonstrate positive impact.
Food security means having consistent access to the food older adults need to maintain their health, dignity, and independence.
What is Healthy Aging Alberta’s Food Security for Older Adults Program?
The Provincial Food Security for Older Adults Program is a province-wide initiative coordinated by Healthy Aging Alberta to strengthen and expand community-based food security supports across Alberta.
Through local non-profits and community partners, the program helps older adults access nutritious and culturally appropriate food, while also reducing isolation and supporting overall well-being.
We focus on:
- Access to nutritious meals, including home-delivered and community-based options
- Daily food needs, such as groceries, meal preparation, and culturally appropriate food access
- Social connection through food, including shared meals, cooking programs, and community spaces
What makes it different: community-driven solutions, culturally responsive programming, and integrated supports that address both food access and social wellbeing.
With investment from the Government of Alberta, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Assisted Living and Social Services, Healthy Aging Alberta is funding and coordinating community-based food security initiatives across the province—helping ensure older adults have access to the food they need to stay healthy, connected, and independent.
Current funded organizations include:
- Calgary Meals on Wheels
- Edmonton Meals on Wheels
- Fresh Routes
- Moving Edson & Area
- Red Deer Native Friendship Society
- Umoja Community Mosaic
Who is the program for?
The program is specifically designed to support older adults aged 55 and over who:
- Experience food insecurity due to low income, limited mobility, or lack of access to nutritious meals
- Face barriers to preparing meals, shopping for groceries, or accessing culturally appropriate foods
- Are at heightened risk of social isolation, malnutrition, or declining health due to insufficient or inconsistent access to food
- Belong to equity-deserving groups, including Indigenous seniors, newcomers, racialized older adults, and 2SLGBTQ+ seniors, who may face additional barriers to accessing traditional food systems or mainstream programming
Why it matters
Alberta’s population is aging rapidly. More than 725,000 Albertans are over 65 today, and this number is expected to nearly double by 2051. Many want to age in place, but barriers to accessing nutritious, affordable, and culturally appropriate food—especially in rural and remote communities—can make this difficult.
Food security is a critical determinant of health. Without consistent access to nutritious food, older adults are at greater risk of malnutrition, chronic illness, and declining overall wellbeing. Barriers such as low income, limited mobility, and social isolation can further impact an individual’s ability to shop for groceries, prepare meals, or access community food programs.
Get in touch
For more information, please contact:
Lauren Slavik
Provincial Community Support Services Manager
Email: lauren.slavik@healthyagingalberta.ca