A new three-year contract will provide a more flexible range of Meals on Wheels food services including food for dinner and breakfast and a greater range of cuisines for different cultures.
The Minister for Ageing and Disability Services, Kristina Keneally, and Member for Wyong, David Harris, said that the contract, worth around $28.5 million will provide for the supply of a wide range of soups, main meals and desserts.
“Meals on Wheels services in NSW will provide about 3.4 million meals to more than 29,000 older people and younger people with a disability through the Home and Community Care Program (HACC),” Ms Keneally said.
“The $9.5 million per year contract will deliver a greater choice of meals, including specialised cuisines for different cultures.
“The contract to supply frozen and cook–chill meals to Meals on Wheels services has been awarded to Anglican Retirement Villages Australia, Baptist Community Services Catering and Flagstaff Australia.
“These are all non-profit organisations experienced in the provision of meals to people who are serviced by Meals on Wheels.”
Member for Wyong, David Harris MP, said that Meals on Wheels services were increasingly focusing on the purchase and delivery of frozen and cook-chill meals which could then be reheated.
“The contract will also streamline the process by reducing the need for multiple tendering for supply across services and ensures a simpler and more sustainable supply process for the HACC food service providers,” Mr Harris said.
“This investment is on top of the Iemma Government’s $500,000 grant in 2006/07 to the NSW Meals on Wheels Association – assisting them to buy equipment such as freezers and ovens required to purchase meals through a Statewide supplier.”
Ms Keneally said that other services and agencies providing meals, such as centre-based day care services, group homes and health facilities could also purchase meals through the contract, which covers people living in metropolitan and regional areas.