General Information

Program Regulations and Guidelines

This manual contains the policies and procedures for the Santa Clara County Senior Nutrition Program’s (SNP) home delivered meal service. The operation standards for SNP are based on the following regulations and guidelines.

  1. Older Americans Act (OAA) Title IIIC as amended
  2. California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 22 Division 1.8 as amended
  3. California Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Code of Federal Regulations as amended
  4. Current California Retail Food Code (CalCode)
  5. Current Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs)
  6. Santa Clara County Nutrition Standards
  7. Best Food and Nutrition Practices

Nutrition Services Goals and Objectives

The purpose of the Senior Nutrition Program is to provide nutrition services as described in the Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965, as amended, and to assist older individuals to live independently, by promoting better health through improved nutrition, and reduced isolation through programs coordinated with nutrition-related supportive services.

The Santa Clara County Senior Nutrition Program (SNP) has been providing nutrition services to the residents of Santa Clara County since 1974. Two distinct services are provided: The Congregate Meals Program and the Home Delivered Meals (HDM) Program also known as Meals on Wheels (MOW). Both programs serve older adults 60 years of age and older.

The Santa Clara County Meals on Wheels Program provides meal service to Homebound older adults. Jointly administered by the County of Santa Clara and Sourcewise, the Area Agency on Aging, the MOW program aims to promote the nutritional health and well-being of the homebound older adults, prevent early institutionalization of persons aged 60 and over, and provide supportive services to help seniors aging in place.

The objectives of the MOW program are to:

  1. Provide quality meals that meet at least one-third (1/3) of the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI).
  2. Promote and maintain food safety and sanitation standards.
  3. Promote healthy behaviors through nutrition education.
  4. Promote or maintain coordination with other nutrition-related supportive services.


Requirements for Home Delivered Meal Providers

Home-delivered meal (HDM) providers shall administer the Senior Nutrition Program by utilizing the following guidelines:

  1. Operate the negotiated number of service days and meals per day.
    1. Meals may be hot, cold, or frozen as defined in the contract.
    2. Therapeutic or modified diets may be provided where feasible and appropriate.
  2. Serve all eligible individuals.
  3. Provide written instructions on handling and reheating of meals. It is recommended that instruction be provided in the language most spoken among the participants.
  4. Comply with the current California Retail Food Code (CRFC or CalCode) and with local health department requirements regarding safe and sanitary preparation and service of meals.
  5. Comply with the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), California of Industrial Relations requirements regarding staff and participant safety.
  6. Comply with all County requirements relating to COVID-19 for persons who routinely perform services for the Senior Nutrition Program including but not limited to vaccination, as applicable and periodically updated, and available at https://covid19.sccgov.org/home.
  7. With the consent of the older person or his/her representative, notify appropriate officials regarding conditions or circumstances which place the older person, or the household, in imminent danger.