Perth meals on wheels service set to expand

Sep 26 2008 by Jenny Wood, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

AHEAD of huge changes to the county’s meals on wheels service the local firm involved in the new contract looks set to grow, writes Jenny Wood.

It was announced this week Perth and Kinross Council is to ditch its traditional daily hot meals service in favour of a fortnightly frozen food delivery to service users, using Wiltshire Farm Foods in Crieff as the supply base.

Their premises could now be set to expand, with plans submitted to the council to construct a new cold store and enlarge loading facilities at Wiltshire Farm Foods’ Broich Road hub.

Wiltshire Farm Foods has traditionally been considered the meals on wheels service for the well heeled and David Burke, depute director of Perth and Kinross Council’s housing and community care team, says if the brand draws in more service users it is a positive result.

“If that gets somebody who is vulnerable into our service, that’s a good thing,” he told the PA.

The transition from hot dishes delivered daily to the door to a fortnightly supply of frozen meals is expected to start next week. Perth and Kinross council chiefs say this will be the best way forward to secure a long-term meals’ service for this county’s vulnerable residents.

Councillor Peter Barrett, convener of the council’s housing and health, said: “On a day-to-day basis, the new service will mean more meals for more people with more choice. And as our population grows, it will ensure that the service can grow to meet demand,” he explained.

The new system is to be phased in over the next three months. Each service user is to be visited to assess if they are able to cope with the changes. Help and equipment, such as freezers and microwaves, will be offered where needed.

For further information on the changes to the meals on wheels service contact the systems co-ordinator by calling 01738 475000 between 9am and 5pm.