Medicaid meal delivery through Ahlers Meals started in 1987 when Marianne Ahlers began cooking in the back of a Dayton, Ohio diner. Nearly 40 years later, the company serves hundreds of thousands of meals to thousands of clients across Ohio, with the Midwest next. President Mike Burke came from 30 years in food delivery and franchising, and he cared for his own mother through dementia and Parkinson’s, so the work is personal. Clients on a Medicaid waiver pick every single meal, every week, and they always talk to the same small team.
Who leads Ahlers Meals today?
Medicaid meal delivery is personal work, and the person leading it here knows that firsthand. Mike Burke spent 30 years in the food and franchise business, specifically pizza delivery. Everyone in his world knew him as the delivery guy. By 2019 he had had enough of franchising and was looking for a way out.
Then this opportunity landed in his lap. One thing led to another, and he was fortunate enough to take over the company. The timing turned out to matter more than he expected. At the same time, his mom was living with dementia and Parkinson’s. The family treated her at home with home health aides, then walked with her through nursing home care.
So he lived, every day, what many clients and their families and caregivers live. That experience shapes how the company operates now. It isn’t a case study. It’s a daily reminder of who is on the other end of the delivery.
How did Ahlers Meals get started?
In 1987, Marianne Ahlers saw a need in her Dayton, Ohio community. She started cooking meals in the back of a diner. That was the whole operation.
Nearly 40 years later, the need is even greater. The company now serves hundreds of thousands of meals and thousands of clients throughout Ohio, and the Midwest is next. Still, the roots haven’t changed.
Marianne passed the business to her daughter and son-in-law. When they were ready to retire, Mike stepped in as the next family member to carry it forward, even though he wasn’t a direct relative. It became his family at that point, and the company stayed closely held.
What does being a family business really mean here?
Plenty of companies say family. Here it shows up in the details. Every employee, every client, every family member, and everyone who calls the office becomes part of the Ahlers family.
Because this is a smaller regional company in the Midwest, the team stays hyper focused on each client. When you call the office, you’ll speak with Lou. Or Kat. Or Kristen. Or Amanda. There are only so many people you’ll ever come in contact with, and it’s going to be the same voice each time.
That consistency matters when you’re sorting out benefits, meal plans, and a parent’s care all at once. You aren’t re-explaining your situation to a new agent every week.
How does full meal choice work?
Choice is where the program really separates itself. With a lot of companies, choice means picking box A or box B. That’s not choice. That’s a coin flip with extra steps.
When you join the Ahlers family, you choose every single meal. Your box is your box. Your selections can be different every single week if that’s what you want. You get to pick each meal, each day, for as long as you’re on the program.
The team will walk you through exactly what that looks like when you call, so nobody is guessing at how the menu works. You can see the full program on the Ahlers Meals website.
Who qualifies for Medicaid meal delivery?
The majority of these programs run through the Medicaid system, so the first question is simple. Are you on Medicaid?
From there, Medicaid breaks down into several layers, and these programs are almost always waiver programs. If you have a healthcare waiver, an age waiver for 60 and older, a developmentally disabled waiver, or anything known as a waiver, you’ll most likely qualify for one of the programs. You can review waiver types through the Ohio Department of Medicaid.
It also helps to know your case manager. Most people on a waiver have one, and that person is a shortcut through a lot of paperwork.
How do you get started with Ahlers Meals?
Here’s the short version of the process.
Confirm your Medicaid status. Check whether you’re on Medicaid and which waiver you have.
Find your case manager. Most waiver recipients have one, and that contact speeds everything up.
Contact both your case manager and Ahlers Meals. Reaching out to both at once is the fastest path.
Let the team handle the referral and authorization. Ahlers works with your case manager to get the referral and authorization plan in place.
Start choosing meals. Once onboarding is done, meals start heading your way.
Everything in healthcare feels overly complicated these days, and that’s true for everyone, staff included. But if you have Medicaid, contact your case manager and contact Ahlers. Between the two, you’ll get through it, get started, and get meals on your plate quickly.
“I got to live every day what many of our clients, their families, and their caregivers live. That’s why every single client matters to us on a daily basis.”
— Mike Burke, President, Ahlers Meals
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for Medicaid meal delivery through Ahlers Meals?
Most programs are based on the Medicaid system and are almost always waiver programs. If you have a healthcare waiver, an age waiver for 60 and older, a developmentally disabled waiver, or any other waiver, you most likely qualify for one of the programs.
Do I need a case manager to sign up?
Most people on a Medicaid waiver have a case manager, and knowing who that is helps a lot. Contact your case manager and Ahlers Meals directly. The two work together to put your referral and authorization plan in place.
Can I pick my own meals or do I get a preset box?
You choose every single meal. Unlike programs that offer only box A or box B, your box is your box, and your selections can change every week for as long as you are on the program.
What areas does Ahlers Meals serve?
Ahlers Meals serves thousands of clients throughout Ohio, delivering hundreds of thousands of meals. The company is expanding into the broader Midwest.
How long has Ahlers Meals been in business?
Marianne Ahlers started cooking meals in the back of a Dayton, Ohio diner in 1987. Nearly 40 years later, the business is still closely held and family run.
Will I speak to the same people each time I call?
Yes. Ahlers Meals is a smaller regional company, so callers reach a familiar team including Lou, Kat, Kristen, and Amanda. You get the same voices instead of a new representative every time.
How quickly can meals start after I reach out?
Once your referral and authorization plan is in place, the team gets you onboarded and starts meals right away. Contacting both your case manager and Ahlers Meals at the same time is the fastest path.
