Peace Meal

What is Peace Meal Senior Nutrition?

Our Mission:

Peace Meal Senior Nutrition Program's mission is to provide quality meals for healthier lives. We help seniors improve their nutrition, sustain their independence and enhance the quality of their life by providing meals, fellowship and connections to other needed services.

Peace Meal Senior Nutrition Program is a program that was created in 1974 to assist senior citizens and their spouses in receiving at least one hot, nutritionally balanced meal five days a week.

We are a federal grant program partially funded through the Older Americans Act. Our state sponsor is Eastern Illinois University. Our state regulating agency is the East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging.

Where is Peace Meal Senior Nutrition?

Peace Meal serves lunch Monday through Friday at many different sites throughout 14 counties in Central Illinois. Lunches are provided at a variety of settings such as senior centers, elder housing, community buildings, and religious facilities. All those age 60 and older are encouraged to get out of their homes and enjoy a hearty meal in the company of others. Programs are often planned at these centers that offer educational and recreational opportunities. For those that are not mobile, home delivered meals are available. An assessment of individual needs and abilities as well as nutritional screening is done for these homebound elders. For a map of our sites, please see our Site Locator page.

What can a senior expect from Peace Meal Senior Nutrition?

The hot lunch that we serve contains 1/3 of the daily adult nutrition requirements. Careful consideration is given to sodium, cholesterol and sugar content in menu planning.

If a senior attends a congregate site, they can expect to meet new people, enjoy a nutritious meal at a great price, learn about good nutrition, and take part in a wide range of activities during their meal.

Homebound seniors will receive the same meal that is being served at the local congregate site and they and their family will have peace of mind knowing that someone is checking on them 5 days a week.