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10 Dining and Grocery Discounts For Seniors You Might Not Know About

From restaurants to retailers, these deals make staying within your budget feel attainable.

By Cat Lafuente

Edited by Lisa Dammeyer

Updated Dec. 10, 2025

A solid retirement plan means building a budget that covers all the essentials, including dining and grocery costs. These expenses can add up quickly, a reality that's only become more noticeable in recent years.

One way to offset rising food prices is to take advantage of the many discounts available to older adults from both public programs and private businesses.

While services like Meals on Wheels and food pantries are widely known, lesser-known options can also help stretch your dollars further.

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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Despite dominating headlines in fall of 2025, there are more than 9 million older adults who could be receiving this benefit that aren't taking advantage of it.

Formerly called food stamps, SNAP benefits are loaded onto a debit card you use at the grocery store every month for meat, poultry, produce, bread, snacks, and more. Contact your local state agency to see if you qualify.

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Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

Older adults aged 60 and over qualify for free fresh produce from participating farmer's markets, roadside stands, and farms. Note that your income can't be over 185% of the federal poverty income guidelines to qualify.

Reach out to your county or state office of agriculture or aging to fill out an application. Contacts for the program in your state can be found online or via phone.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

If you're 60 or over and your income is less than 150% of the federal poverty income guidelines, you can have a food package delivered to your home or made available for pickup in your area.

This federally-funded program works with local non-profits that ensure the food packages are distributed. Packages can include canned foods, cheese, milk, cereal, beans, juice, peanut butter, pasta, and more.

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Harris Teeter senior discounts

Many grocery stores offer discount shopping days for older adults. Customers who are 60 and over with a VIC card can receive 5% off on Thursdays at Harris Teeter, for example.

Harris Teeter is a North Carolina–based chain with over 150 stores in that state, as well as hundreds of others on the East Coast. The chain recently began opening stores in Florida, a retirement hotspot.

Albertson's senior discounts

Many stores are incorporated under the Albertson's umbrella, one of the biggest grocers in the country. That includes Vons, Safeway, Star Market, Randalls, Pavilions, and more.

On the first Wednesday of each month, seniors can get 10% off of the total bill. Be sure to ask before you shop to ensure your location participates in this discount program.

Fred Meyer senior discounts

You'll find Fred Meyer stores in a total of four states: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The chain has over 130 outlets.

Older adults, make sure you shop there on the first Tuesday of each month. If you're age 55 or over, the chain will give you 10% off qualifying products.

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Hy-Vee senior discounts

Approaching 600 locations total, most of them in the Midwest, Hy-Vee stores can be found in nine states.

Depending on the location, Hy-Vee gives older adults a 5% to 10% discount on their total grocery bill. Days vary as well, so it's best to speak to a manager at your individual location.

Walgreens senior discounts

They may not have the inventory of full-sized grocery stores, but some pharmacies offer discounts to older adults that can save you money on food.

The first Tuesday of every month is Seniors Day at Walgreens, where you can get 20% off your purchase. CVS doesn't have such a day, but you can save via their Extra Care program.

Independent pharmacies may have senior discounts as well; call to inquire.

AARP senior discounts

Being a card-carrying member of the AARP pays off, especially if you enjoy dining out frequently.

You can get 10% off at Cinnabon and Outback Steakhouse, 15% at Denny's and Cici's Pizza, and 20% off at Papa John's, to name just a few.

Be sure to read the fine print to know which kinds of orders (dine in, take out, online, in app) qualify.

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Restaurant discounts

Even if you're not a member of AARP, many restaurants still give senior discounts on food orders. According to the National Council on Aging, your local Chili's, IHOP, Dairy Queen, and Krispy Kreme opt into such programs.

McDonald's also participates in discounts for older adults, so inquire at your local restaurant. In fact, since these discounts are so common, ask your server about them wherever you dine.

Bottom line

Reducing food costs is a smart money move for seniors, especially with grocery prices feeling higher than ever. Spending less on essentials frees up money for other parts of your budget, helping ease financial pressure overall.

Each of these resources can help you enjoy healthy, delicious food at a lower cost. As an added bonus, saving money while eating well can support both your physical and mental well-being, contributing to a more fulfilling lifestyle.

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