Grab & Go Meals
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At OFA, we’re on a mission to tackle food insecurity, and we’re thrilled to unveil our Grab and Go Meal Program! This initiative is all about offering easy and convenient meal options for our cherished older community members. To reserve a meal, simply give us a call 24 hours in advance. Have your details ready – your name, date of birth, phone number, and the location where you’ll be picking up your meal – and we’ll take care of the rest!
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Any person age 60 or older
Individuals under the age of 60 who provide volunteer services to the meal program during meal hours
This is not an income-based program. Spouses over 60 and individuals with disabilities who live with the eligible participant may also qualify for Grab & Go Meals, these referrals are assessed on a case by case basis.
IS THERE A COST?
There is no charge for the meals, but voluntary contributions are welcomed. All contributions are used locally to help serve more Columbia County residents.
HOW DO I APPLY?
There is no application process, just an information sheet required at the time of your first meal pick up. We ask that if you are planning to pick up a meal, please call at least 24-hours in advance. See the phone numbers and addresses for each site below or call our Philmont Nutrition Center for more information at (518) 672 -7134.
Meals will be available by reservation for pick-up at the following locations and times:
Albert L. Tripp Center
93 Main Street, Philmont
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
Phone: 518-672-7134
Hudson Senior Center
51 North 5th Street, 2nd Floor, Hudson
Monday - Friday
Phone: 518-610-0698
Stuyvesant Town Hall
5 Sunset Drive, Stuyvesant
Tuesdays and Thursdays
Phone: 518-751-0267
Valatie Senior Center
3302 Williams Street, Valatie
Mondays and Wednesdays
Phone: 518-567-7881
Elizaville Fire Department
1575 County Route 19, Elizaville
Tuesdays and Fridays
Phone: 518-828-7538
Canaan Town Hall
1647 County Route 5, Canaan
Wednesdays
Phone: 518-781-0028
Copake Recreation Center
305 Mountain View Road, Copake
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
Phone: 518-567-7881
PROCEDURE
Participants must call to reserve a meal at least 24 hours in advance to allow time for preparation. To reserve a meal, clients should call the phone number associated with the senior center they plan to pick up from (listed above) or the central kitchen at 518-672-5323.
Each senior center will have a reservation sheet for convenience, where participants can print their names for the remainder of the week. If a participant reserves a meal and is unable to pick it up themselves, they should call the central kitchen to cancel or have a loved one pick it up on their behalf.
Meals must be picked up between 12:00 - 12:30 PM at each senior center. Delivery times may vary based on weather, volunteer availability, and unexpected delays. Participants must complete a NAPIS (registration and consent) form annually.
Individuals under 60 years of age must pay the actual cost of $17.99 per meal.
To help support the nutrition program, please consider making a contribution to maintain and enhance this service. A voluntary contribution of $4.00 per meal is suggested, although no eligible participant will be denied service if they are unable to contribute. Contributions directly fund the nutrition program and allow for the expansion of services throughout Columbia County.
FOOD SAFETY
To prevent food from becoming unsafe, it is important to refrigerate (40 degrees or lower) the meal as soon as possible and keep it refrigerated until ready to eat. Bacteria can double in population every 20 minutes when not kept at the proper temperature.
Food items that do not require refrigeration include: slices of bread or dinner rolls, fresh fruit, a piece of cake, cookie, or brownie. When in doubt, refrigeration is best.
Reheating Instructions for Grab & Go Meals:
Before Reheating: Peel back corners of the clear film or puncture to allow steam to vent.
Microwave: Heat for 2-3 minutes on High.
Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the meal on a metal cookie sheet and heat for 10 minutes.
All hot food entrees should be reheated to at least 165 degrees to control bacterial growth.
For any questions, please contact Amanda Piser at 518-672-5323 or email amanda.piser@columbiacountyny.gov.
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