Text: Relevance: Depression is a significant health problem. Low folate is related to depression but the importance of different forms of dietary folate is unknown. Our objective was to examine the cross-sectional associations between folate intake and depression diagnosis in an elderly cohort of depressed and non-depressed individuals. Priority: Given the known association of folate with depression, and folic acid fortification of the food supply, determining the importance of different forms of folate to depression is critical. Methods: Folate intake was assessed in 247 elderly subjects (111 with depression, 136 without depression) using a Block 1998 food frequency questionnaire. Dietary folate equivalents (DFEs) of naturally-occurring food folate, folic acid from food fortification, and supplemental folic acid, as well as kilocalories were determined. Subjects were age 60 or over, and were participants in a longitudinal study of depression in the elderly. Results: In logistic regression models, controlling for age, sex, race, and kilocalories, low intake of naturally-occurring food folate was associated with a diagnosis of depression (p 0.0003). Total folate intake (from all sources), fortified folic acid, and supplemental folic acid were not significantly associated with depression diagnosis. Synthesis: Low intake of natural food folate may be associated with depression in elderly subjects. This association may be due to unique effects of the natural folate form (as compared with folic acid) on brain health, to non-folate dietary behaviors that are found in high-folate consumers, or to another mechanism. This research indicates the potential importance of naturally-occurring food folate for late-life depression.