[WATCH] Government targeting zero meals-on-wheels waiting list by November

Government targeting zero meals-on-wheels waiting list by November

A government investment of €500,000 will mean that all applicants on the waiting list for the meals-on-wheels will start receiving the service by the end of November, according to Justyne Caruana, parliamentary secretary for active ageing.

Caruana was addressing a press conference in Senglea on new reforms introduced to make the service more efficient, reduce the waiting list and bring the service in line with modern and safe food handling practices.

She said that the secretariat had consulted food handling experts and nutritionists to help draw up new seasonal menus and to set in place new practices that will replace outdated services.

A tender had been awarded to a new contractor who was also bound to replace all equipment and introduce 10 new vans to service the demand.

A full rebranding exercise has also been undertaken and the service will now be advertised as "Meals to you".

The service will now be advertised as "Meals to you"

All meals will be delivered chilled or frozen in new containers that will replace the old jablo containers used up till now.

Caruana said that around 380 customers had been making use of the service.

"This new investment means that 100 of the 370 people on the waiting list have now also started receiving the service, while the rest will start receiving the service by the end of November," she said. "This means that all customers on the waiting list will have been accommodated and there funds already allocated for prospective new customers."

The meals under the new improved service will still cost €2.20 for a three-course meal including dessert.