Nutrition Services

Meals on Wheels

McFarland Senior Outreach, in conjunction with the Area Agency on Aging of Dane County and Dane County Department of Human Services, offers options for Senior Meals. Balanced and nutritious meals are designed following dietary guidelines for older adults and are approved by a Registered Dietician. Meals are prepared off-site by an approved catering company, Consolidated Food Systems, and are delivered hot and fresh to our facility for serving. Meatless options are available daily. A fresh salad is available as an alternative to the main dish on Salad Tuesdays. Certain special diets can be accommodated with a prescription from a physician such as: Diabetic, No Added Salt, Pureed, and Mechanical Soft. However, our caterer cannot guarantee that meals can be allergen free. Suggested donation of $4.00 per meal.

Home-delivered meals are available to home-bound seniors five days a week in the Village of McFarland, Town of Dunn, and Town of Pleasant Springs. A home assessment to determine eligibility is required within 30 days of beginning meals. Recipients must be home when meals are delivered. 

To request Meals on Wheels, contact McFarland Senior Outreach at 608-838-7117.

Nutritional Counseling

One-on-one nutrition counseling is available to older adults seeking information on ways to improve their overall health. Older adults (age 60 and older) in Dane County are eligible to meet with a Registered Dietitian to discuss nutrition-related questions or difficulties. While there is no charge for this service, donations are welcome. Common topics for discussion include: diabetic diet, unintended weight loss, heart healthy diet, taste an smell changes, poor appetite, Parkinson's Disease, difficulty chewing or swallowing, basic nutrition for older adults, constipation, acid reflux, or cooking for 1 or 2. To learn more about this resource or to schedule an appointment, contact Shannon Gabriel, RDN, CD at 608-261-5678 or email Gabriel.Shannon@countyofdane.com

My Meal, My Way

My Meal, My Way is a Dane County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) program that offers meals for older adults at select restaurants. Older adults age 60 and over may dine at any of the following restaurants during the time frames provided for a discounted price. Some restaurants offer special menus for the My Meal, My Way program. All meals have a suggested contribution of $4.00 per meal. Availability subject to change during COVID-19. Please call locations to confirm.

• DeForest Family Restaurant
  505 W. North St., DeForest
  Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  (608)-846-6910
  
• Fink's Restaurant
  204 W. Main St., Mt. Horeb
  Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  (608)-437-8922
• Hy-Vee Market Grille (East Madison)
  3801 East Washington Ave, Madison
  Wednesdays and Fridays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  (608)-227-4540
• Hy-Vee Market Grille (Fitchburg)
  2920 Fitchrona Rd., Fitchburg
  Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  (608)-273-5131
• Hy-Vee Market Grille (West Madison)
  675 South Whitney Way, Madison
  Wednesdays & Fridays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  (608)-277-6742
• Ziggy's BBQ Smokehouse
  135 S. Main St., Oregon
  Thursdays 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
  (608)-291-0915

FoodShare Wisconsin was created to help stop hunger and to improve nutrition and health. FoodShare helps people with limited money buy the food they need for good health.

Each month, people across Wisconsin get help from FoodShare. They are people of all ages who have a job but have low incomes, are living on small or fixed income, have lost their job, and are retired or disabled and not able to work.

To apply for FoodShare, visit Apply for Benefits or contact the Capital Consortium at 1-888-794-5556. If you would like assistance with the application process, contact McFarland Senior Outreach at 608-838-7117.

For current FoodShare income limits, visit FoodShare Monthly Income Limits.

The Dane County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) will distribute farmers' market vouchers to senior adults for use in purchasing fruit, vegetables, or herbs at farmers' markets and roadside farm stands in Wisconsin during the 2022 growing season (June 1st to October 31st). Vouchers are distributed on a first come/first served basis.

Eligibility: 

• Must be over age 60
• Must live in Dane County
• Gross income under $25,142 per year ($2,095/month) for a one person household, or under $33,874 per year ($2,823/month) for a two-person household.

Distribution of farmers' market vouchers will be done by mail. Individuals that received vouchers last year will automatically receive an application by mail this year. If you wish to apply to the program, or need to update your mailing address, contact AAA Dietitian Shannon Gabriel at 1-608-261-5678. Applications will be mailed during the week of May 15th. Once your application is received, vouchers will be mailed starting on June 1st.

Vouchers can be redeemed directly at eligible vendors at farmers markets and roadside market stalls throughout Dane County. Not all vendors accept vouchers. Vendors that accept vouchers will have a yellow sign displayed at their market stall.

This program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.