CAMDEN Haven Meals on Wheels service offers the community much more than just a meal.
Traditional services have been given a revamp with an exciting menu, expanded services and the delivery of frozen meals.
“Our aim is to support the frail aged, younger disabled persons and their carers with meals and services to enhance their independence,” said Camden Haven Meals on Wheels service manager Penny Lavender.
“We want them to be able to remain comfortably in their own homes and avoid or delay premature admission to residential care.
“Our wonderful team of volunteers is very dedicated in delivering our meals and our new services to our clients. We would not be able to do what we do without their outstanding contribution and we thank the many volunteers that support our services.”
New changes to the service include delivering frozen meals. Hot meals are no longer delivered, due to compliance with food safety standards for vulnerable persons. The convenience of having a range of frozen meals ready to heat when required is also a plus, along with the cheaper price. Volunteers are able to stay with the clients and help heat the meals for those who have higher needs.
“Many other Meals on Wheels services have changed from hot meals to frozen and we have used their experiences to help us shape our new delivery model,” Ms Lavender said.
“Meals are delivered from 9.30am and this earlier time suits clients and volunteers. Clients can also pick up meals from the MOW office.
“We are really excited about our new frozen food menu. Clients can choose meals from three suppliers - allowing us to supply the highest quality and widest variety of food to our clients.
“One supplier is local - The Whiddon Group. They used to supply our hot meals, and have taken up the challenge and employed a production chef to oversee the production of frozen meals for CHMOW.
“We are pleased to continue to purchase meals from this team as there are benefits to our local Camden Haven community; local jobs are retained and The Whiddon Group purchase their food from local businesses. Feedback from clients will enable us to further develop their menu. With the Whiddon Group we plan to develop a wider range of nutritious and tasty soups.
“We also purchase meals from Great Lakes Meals on Wheels production kitchen and Flagstaff Fine Foods, enabling us to provide a wide selection of meals to clients.”
One thing that hasn’t changed at Camden Haven Meals on Wheels is the quality of the food. The tradition of supplying nutritious, tasty, competitively priced meals remains the same.
“We can now offer clients an extensive menu to choose from every day,” Ms Lavender said.
“Small meals are priced at just $3.50, standard meals are $4.50 and gourmet meals are $7. Soups and desserts are just $2.”
Clients with high needs have volunteers deliver and heat their meals every week day. Frozen meals and salads are delivered three days a week.
“There are also regular opportunities for clients to come together, with volunteers, for a meal and social interaction. We also offer various forms of assistance including food shopping.
“Our clients have found the new meals a change from what they were used to, and have adapted well.”