Senator Jon Husted (R-Ohio) and Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) have introduced the bipartisan Delivering for Rural Seniors Act in the U.S. Senate. The bill aims to address food insecurity among seniors in rural areas by establishing a three-year pilot program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This initiative would expand home delivery options for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).
The CSFP provides monthly food boxes to eligible low-income seniors, but those living in rural regions, people with disabilities, and individuals without reliable transportation often face challenges accessing these resources from distribution centers.
Representative Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) has introduced a companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Ohio has about 30,000 seniors who are eligible for food assistance through CSFP, and many of them do not have access to transportation. Especially in Appalachia, where driving distances are commonly further than others, this is a good step to ensure rural seniors don’t go hungry,” said Husted.
“Too many seniors, especially in rural communities in Arizona and across the country, are eligible for nutrition assistance but can’t reliably get to a pickup site. This bill will help close that gap. By supporting local partners who are willing and able to deliver food directly to seniors’ doors, we can help older Americans stay healthy and independent in their own homes, especially as costs continue to rise. Geography shouldn’t be the difference between getting help and going without,” said Kelly.
“Far too many seniors in rural Iowa can’t access the food they need to live. Right now, more than 100,000 eligible seniors are missing out on food assistance, often because they can’t travel to distribution locations. This is a commonsense solution that will deliver for our seniors – literally,” said Nunn.
“The Ohio Association of Foodbanks and our members are grateful to Senator Husted for his co-sponsorship of the Delivering for Rural Seniors Act. Ohio’s foodbanks, in partnership with USDA and the State of Ohio, proudly operate CSFP to connect about 30,000 seniors with nourishing staple foods every month. This legislation would help us make sure that seniors in need, especially those in rural Ohio, where service delivery is often more challenging, can have healthy food, and hope, delivered to their doorstep. We look forward to partnering with Senator Husted on this impactful bill,” said Joree Novotny, executive director, Ohio Association of Foodbanks.
“At the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, programs like the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) are vital in helping older adults access nutritious food each month, but barriers remain for those who cannot easily reach distribution sites. We applaud the Delivering for Rural Seniors Act for working to address transportation challenges and expanding delivery options so more of our region’s older adults can receive the food they need with dignity and ease,” said Katie Carver Reed, vice president & chief operating officer at Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.
“NCSFPA supports the Delivering for Rural Seniors Act and other efforts to improve and expand the delivery of food packages to eligible individuals. For many seniors—especially in rural and underserved areas—delivery is the only viable way to access nutrition assistance. Strengthening these delivery options is critical to ensuring that vulnerable seniors are not left behind and can reliably receive the food support they need,” said the National Commodity Supplemental Food Program Association.
Meals on Wheels America has also expressed support for this legislation.
