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By Roger Suters
During the past fiscal year, Elder Services’ Nutrition Program prepared and delivered 259,627 meals: 208,595 Meals on Wheels delivered to individual homes and 51,032 meals served at 14 meal sites throughout the county. The number of home delivered meals increased by more than 5,000. Since 2004 this represents a total increase of 14,000 home delivered meals, more than 50 each day. Continuing efforts to improve quality and efficiency have allowed the Food Services staff to meet increased demands for home deliveries.
Client satisfaction surveys are delivered monthly, on a rotating and geographically representative basis, to 100 Meals on Wheels clients who provide important, useful, and timely information about the Nutrition program. The most favorite meals continue to be turkey, chicken, meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, and fish. It’s interesting to note that liver with onions ranks sixth on the list of favorites and this entree also ranks high among least favorite items. To accommodate varying likes and dislikes the kitchen staff has established a method by which drivers can substitute recently frozen meals so that everyone can be encouraged to enjoy a nutritious, midday serving when a “least favorite” item for an individual is prepared. Overall satisfaction for Meals on Wheels remains at a high level - 96%.
Against the backdrop of federal funding levels that have remained unchanged for the past decade, the program benefited from another successful year of fund raising, principally through corporate sponsorship. In addition, increased state funding helped to close the program deficit. In turn, this has enabled upgrades to vital kitchen equipment including replacing three 60 gallon stockpots.
The nutrition program looks forward to another strong year as a mainstay service allowing elders to keep their independence and dignity, remain in their own homes and neighborhoods, and enjoy this lifeline of human connection.
Roger Suters is Elder Services Director of Community Services and Nutrition