Meal services
Congregate services programs assisted under this section shall include meal service adequate to meet at least one-third of the daily nutritional needs of eligible project residents, as follows:
(A) Supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits and agricultural commodities In providing meal services under this paragraph, each congregate services program— (i) shall— (I) apply for approval as a retail food store under section 2018 of title 7 ; and (II) if approved under such section, accept benefits as payment from individuals to whom such meal services are provided; and (ii) shall request, and use to provide such meal services, agricultural commodities made available without charge by the Secretary of Agriculture.
(B) Preference for nutrition providers In contracting for or otherwise providing for meal services under this paragraph, each congregate services program shall give preference to any provider of meal services who— (i) receives assistance under title III of the Older Americans Act of 1965 [ 42 U.S.C. 3021 et seq.]; or (ii) has experience, according to standards as the Secretary shall require, in providing meal services in a housing project under the Congregate Housing Services Act of 1978 [ 42 U.S.C. 8001 et seq.] or any other program for congregate services.