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Cllr John Gilbert |
Meals on wheels are frozen out
Danish company behind controversial move to change service
A FOREIGN company was revealed this week as the firm behind controversial plans to replace Islington’s traditional meals on wheels service with frozen dinners.
Freshcm – the English arm of international caterers ISS – plans to “streamline” the meals service that provides a life-line to housebound elderly and infirm.
Frozen pizzas, curries and Chinese food in a bag will replace the hot meals delivered each day to more than 200 people.
Islington Council refused to say how much the contract was worth, claiming the information was commercially sensitive.
The seven-year contract was awarded to the Danish-based Freshcm (Fresh community meals), which has an office in Buckingham, at an Executive meeting last week.
The frozen food will be delivered once a fortnight from a depot in Newham, with residents expected to keep packets in a fridge and re-heat them when necessary.
Former mayor and Labour councillor Joan Coupland was appalled. “For many disabled and elderly people daily meals on wheels are the only human contact they receive.
“Not everyone has a microwave, so that’s going to pose a problem.
“Then what about all the partially sighted folk who won’t be able to read the name of the meal and it’s ingredients?”
Craig Smith, spokesman for Freshcm, whose parent arm employs 300,000 in 47 countries, argued that 70,000 people receive its meals and are all generally satisfied.
He admitted, however, that the scheme would reduce the day-to-day personal contact.
He said: “Some people I accept prefer a daily visit but we are able to deliver two or three times a week.”
Mr Smith said that the company held food tastings before the contract was awarded.
He said: “Modern technology has moved on to allow people to diversify with their meals. What we used to call TV dinners are more mainstream and available in supermarkets.
“On a personal note, an aunt of mine has been receiving our meals for many months and frequently tells me how much she enjoys them.”
Islington says the new service that starts in October will increase the proportion of frozen meals with daily hot meals being offered only as the exception.
A spokesperson added: “The ‘traditional’ British meal is out-dated and inappropriate.”
George Durack, chairman of the Islington Pensioners Forum, said it was a sad day for elderly people in Islington.
“It’s an absolute joke,” he said. “A lot of people still believe in traditional meals on wheels and I feel the council is taking us in the wrong direction.”
Pensioner Val Dunmow thought that a lot of people are going to have to buy huge freezers to store all the meals.
Islington claims the new service will give people more choice.
A council spokesperson said: “The difference with the new contract is that everyone will have access to every type of food. You will be able to chose between a casserole or traditional Indian curry, or fish and chips.”
Councillor John Gilbert, executive member for adult social services, said: “Islington will still give hot meals in the home for those who need them.
“To people who can manage a microwave, we will give a wide choice of good quality frozen meals. This will let people eat what they want, just like anyone catering for themselves can.”
Four providers responded to a council advert placed in the catering trade magazine, The Grocer. Of these, three were shortlisted and invited to bid for the contract at an evaluation panel. |
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