MELBOURNE food provider Community Chef will replace Bendigo Health as the City of Greater Bendigo provider for Meals on Wheels.
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Community Chef, which supplies 20 local governments across Victoria, will supply meals for local clients from mid-March.
Council says the cost to provide the Community Chef service was similar to that of Bendigo Health, the previous meals provider, although there will be some initial establishment costs.
Director Pauline Gordon said the company had an expanding product list for lunch, dinner and snack menus all prepared by chefs and cooks, with specific-need menus also available.
“Under the Community Chef model the meals are delivered chilled and can be kept in the fridge for up to 30 days, so clients can reheat them as required," she said.
"This gives them greater flexibility, so if they are away from home during traditional meal times they will not miss out on receiving a meal.
“City staff and volunteers will be able to spend more time with clients when they drop the food off, as they do not have the pressure of delivering meals hot to others.”
The council provides approximately 300 clients with a Meals on Wheels service, delivering about 40,000 meals each year.
Ms Gordon said council was obliged to seek the best value and quality for ratepayers’ money and acknowledged Bendigo Health for the service it had provided.