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The diet of older people is today a major preoccupation for French public services, as well as for certain sectors of civic society. On account mainly of voluntary groups, many local initiatives have been developed over the past fifteen years. A common feature is the use of the potential for sociability and pleasure that are present in the preparation of meals and eating together to promote “healthy ageing”. Through the use of semi-directive interviews, documental research and participant observation, this article analyses the issues associated with the diet of older people. A discourse analysis reveals the adoption and reinforcement of official messages emanating from field workers, which in turn contribute to a representation of ageing and old age uniquely in terms of risk and deficits, whether psychological, sanitary, or social.