A wider choice of menus delivered over 7 days a week is on its way for current and future users of the popular Community Meals Service in Neath Port Talbot Community Meals, formerly known as ‘Meals on Wheels’, provides a hot, nourishing two course meal to eligible recipients of the service who find it difficult to prepare and cook for themselves. The service currently delivers a lunchtime meal on up to five days a week.
From October the Council will be starting a new contract with award winning food supplier Apetito to offer a greater variety of tasty, nutritious and visually appealing meals every day of the week.
Diners will be able to choose from 4 hot main courses and 3 desserts every day, and the menus will change daily. There will also be a salad, soup and sandwich, or filled jacket potato option. The service will continue to cater for specific dietary needs such as diabetics, vegetarians and culturally appropriate meals where required and there will be special festive menus at Christmas.
In addition, there will be new vans with state-of-the art ovens which will heat and maintain the temperature of the meals in batches along the route. These new ‘chefmobils’ will mean that all service users, whether they are the first call of the day or the last, will get a meal delivered in its optimum condition.
Whilst Community Meals have traditionally been provided to individuals over a longer term, from October a short-term service will also be available. This is with a view to providing support for people while their family or carers are on holiday or in hospital.
Apetito will provide the meals and vans, but the front-line service will continue to be delivered by existing Council staff who are known and trusted by current service users.
As well as offering an improved service, the contract is set to deliver savings in the region of £100,000 per year, due to reduced wastage and the economies of scale that Apetito are able to pass on.
Council Leader Ali Thomas said:
“In the current economic climate the challenge for public bodies is to deliver even better services in more cost effective ways. This Council is doing just that with the improvements to the Community Meals Service. From October we will be able to offer a wider choice of menu and a service at weekends for all who need it.
“As well as meals, the service provides peace of mind that older and vulnerable people are having regular personal contact with the delivery staff. By continuing to have the meals served by our own staff, we will be providing continuity to the service user where it matters most.”
Apetito was selected following a rigorous tender process which judged the meals on taste, quality, value for money and nutrition.
Anyone who wishes to enquire whether they would be eligible to receive Community Meals should ring the Council’s Contact and Access Team on 01639 686802.
