Older people’s meals in taste bud challenge

Older residents to taste and test the quality of meals prepared for home delivery via the Council's meals on wheels service.

Four of the country’s top names in ready cooked meals for vulnerable people have been invited to a special taste challenge on 3 July at the Cherwell Centre in Heywood.

Twenty older residents already using the local meals on wheels service will be at the taste challenge to give their verdict on a selection of freshly prepared main courses and sweet dishes.

The WRVS Meals on Wheels service, who presently provide meals, will also put their dishes to the taste test.

The use of ready cooked meals sparked controversy recently with claims that this could put the future of work between the Council and the WRVS at risk. But the Council allay these fears by reassuring Meals on Wheels that the aim was to improve the range, quality and availability of meals, whilst at the same time wanting to continue to work with the WRVS in its role as a lifeline for isolated older people.

Rochdale Council’s cabinet member for health and social care, Councillor Dale Mulgrew, said: “I am delighted that Meals on Wheels are supporting the taste challenge by putting forward the ready meals service they use in other parts of the country to deliver a wide range of delicious and nutritious meals. We have lined up some keen culinary judges who use the service currently and I am sure the contest will be as equally fierce as on BBC television's Masterchef!”

The WRVS are backing improvements to the service after recent meetings with the council.

Suzanne Kay Tertiary Manager for WRVS, said: “We work very successfully with many other council’s to provide high quality hot and frozen meals whilst WRVS volunteers offer that personal touch that a meals service alone cannot provide. Working with the council we may be able to provide meals at weekends, not just on weekdays and give extra nutritional advice as well as offering social support to those in most need. We are also looking at what other work we could develop with the Council.”

The taster’s views will be included in a report on the future of the service that will be considered towards the end of the summer by the Council's cabinet.