Virginia DINER

Delivering Integrated Nutrition, Engagement, & Resilience

Overview

Virginia DINER (Delivering Integrated Nutrition, Engagement, & Resilience) is a three-year initiative led by the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Gerontology and the Virginia Center on Aging. The project is funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) through the Innovations in Nutrition Programs and Services (INNU) program.

Virginia DINER brings together partners across Virginia to strengthen senior nutrition programs and support behavioral health, social connection, and well-being for older adults — particularly those facing the greatest barriers to healthy aging.

Senior nutrition programs, funded under the Older Americans Act, help reduce hunger, food insecurity, and isolation while promoting health and independence for older adults. These programs also serve as important community hubs where older adults access meals, services, and social connection.

Virginia DINER builds on this foundation by integrating:

Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed approaches
Cultural responsiveness and food sovereignty
Behavioral health and social connection
Community-based partnerships
Evidence-based evaluation and learning

Project Goals

Virginia DINER is designed to:

Identify what works to support older adults with behavioral health needs in senior nutrition programs
Strengthen staff capacity through trauma-informed and culturally responsive training
Pilot innovative nutrition and engagement approaches
Create and disseminate practical tools and resources for communities across Virginia and nationally