With only 17 clients accessing the service, Macedon Ranges Shire Council has deemed service no longer viable.

When the financial year ends, so too will its involvement in the individual meals program.

A number of central Victorian councils have reported a reduced number of food services recipients.

Figures provided by two shires show user numbers roughly halved in the past 10 years.

Eight people in Greater Bendigo, all over the age of 65, receive meals from council under the Commonwealth Home Support Program.

A total of 42,430 meals were provided by the city's food services ten years ago.

The figure has since dropped to roughly 2000. Some people receive meals through programs funded by the NDIS. A number of people receive care through Bendigo Health.

"There is a small demand for meals by some very vulnerable people with little support," Greater Bendigo home support coordinator," Sue Harrison said.

"In the past a number of residents chose Meals on Wheels for the social interaction with the volunteer who delivered the meal.

"Now the city offers a new program called Social Support Individual, which provides in-home visits and support to socially isolated people."

A Meals on Wheels service has been offered in Bendigo since December 21, 1953. Meals were initially prepared in the basement of the city's town hall.

The program is in its 51^st year in the Central Goldfields shire.

"Meals on Wheels are offered seven days a week and delivered by our valued volunteers," the shire's community wellbeing general manager, Martin Collins said.

He said about 550 meals were delivered each month.

"Clients regularly opt for meals offered in the Meals on Wheels program due to their high reputation and nutritional value," Mr Collins said.

"Demand is still strong... and we look forward to seeing this service grow into the future."

About 45 people in Mount Alexander shire access Meals on Wheels.

The program there delivers more than 500 meals a month.

Mount Alexander corporate and community services director Lisa Knight said the number of clients had dropped over time, mainly because there were many options available when it came to delivered meal services and additional support options in the community, like community lunches.

"Meals on Wheels is still a much-valued service in the community," Ms Knight said.

"In some cases the staff member who delivers the meal might be the only person a client sees for the week."

She said Meals on Wheels provided the benefits of both a social connection and a nutritious and balanced meal.

The number of meals delivered in Campaspe has almost halved in 10 years. In 2008/09, there were 29,893 meals; 14,272 meals were delivered in the past financial year.

Recipient numbers dropped from 357 to 162 in the same time.

Campaspe regulatory and community services general manager Paul McKenzie said demand had steadily declined, year-on-year, in line with the state-wide trend.

"Increasingly consumers are choosing alternate sources that include ready-made meals both from supermarkets, local boutique suppliers, as well as taking advantage of seniors meals options at clubs and cafes, which has the added benefit of social interaction," he said.

"Delivered meals are designed for those who are nutritionally at risk and have limited access and ability to prepare meals."

Forty-five Loddon residents receive Meals on Wheels - 40 fewer than 10 years ago.

"Although numbers have reduced over the years, there is still a need for a delivered meals program in our area," a Loddon Shire Council spokesperson said.

"There are still members of our community who for a variety of reasons are unable to prepare their own meals or access other forms of meals."

Gannawarra Shire Council responded to a drop in the number of meals recipients by developing a social meals program to help keep residents connected with their communities.

Acting community wellbeing director, Narelle O'Donoghue said the program was delivered in each of the shire's nine towns or districts either fortnightly or monthly.

Attendees received a home-cooked, two-course meal for $10 - a price comparable with Meals on Wheels.

Ms O'Donoghue said demand for Meals on Wheels was still strong.

"Last year the Meals on Wheels program provided 10,121 meals to 112 residents located across seven towns within the Gannawarra," she said.

"In 2008, council's volunteers delivered around 18,000 meals."

Macedon Ranges community wellbeing acting director Jill Karena said each of the shire's 17 individual meals program recipients would receive support to ensure continued access to nutritious meals after July 2020.

"Council has other ways that it can support access to meals, including through the social support individual service," she said.

The service assists with shopping and meal preparation and helps residents to attend community lunches.

"Council supports approximately 800 clients for home support services," Ms Karena said.

She said declining demand for Meals on Wheels within the shire partly reflected the increased availability of prepared meals, the increased popularity of group meals, and the availability of other supports such as assisted shopping and meals preparation.

Operational expenses were a factor in the decision to end the program in Macedon Ranges. They included cool room maintenance, food testing, delivery costs and administration and supervision wages.

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