Integrating Meals on Wings into the Campus Kitchen at the University of Kentucky for Marginalized Older Adults

Integrating Meals on Wings into the Campus Kitchen at the University of Kentucky for Marginalized Older Adults Though food insecurity and poor nutrition affect individuals of all ages, older adults are particularly vulnerable with about 5 million seniors experiencing some level of food insecurity and Kentucky has the highest food insecurity rate in the nation for older adults aged between 50-59. For seniors aged 60 years and older, Kentucky’s food insecurity prevalence was still higher than the national average of 7%. Meanwhile, 40% of food produced that is worth $161 billion is wasted annually in the U.S. One organization that address both issues is a student-led service organization, the Campus Kitchen at the University of Kentucky (CKUK), that is housed in the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition. Established in 2014, CKUK is currently a partner agency of God’s Pantry Food Bank within the Feeding America network and aims to reduce food waste, improve food security, and empower community. Since 2014, CKUK has made an economic impact of at least $204,000 from engaging 7,917 students from over 100 disciplines and 11 different colleges in recovering over 68,116 lbs. of food and providing over 27,958 balanced meals and resources to the underserved community. The proposed two-year project for the “Meals on Wings: A Food Recovery-Meal Delivery Program Nationwide Expansion Seed Grant” will integrate the established University of North Florida’s Meals on Wings program into CKUK and bring CKUK’s focus to older adult nutrition education and meal assistance. The goal of this project is to improve 1) older adult food security, 2) nutrition status, knowledge, and behaviors, and 3) health-related quality of life among marginalized older adults in Lexington, KY.