The Aspen Institute 27d ago

As Americans age, nutrition becomes one of the most important—and often overlooked—drivers of health, independence, functional ability, and quality of life. Older adults face unique nutritional challenges shaped by chronic disease, social isolation, mobility limitations, medication interactions, fixed incomes, and barriers to food access. Addressing these challenges requires more than emergency food support alone; it requires coordinated nutrition interventions that support healthy aging across health care and community settings. In recognition of Older Americans Month, Food & Society at the Aspen Institute and the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs convened this timely discussion featuring panelists: Robert Blancato, Executive Director, NANASP; Kathleen Graim, Chief Program Officer, Feedmore NY; and Patrick Stover, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, and Director of the Institute for Connecting Nutrition and Health (ICON-Health) at Florida State University. Moderated by Corby Kummer, executive director of Food & Society. Recorded live on May 29, 2026.