6 days ago
Meals on Wheels providers struggling to meet demand with fewer volunteers
The country's Meals on Wheels services are reporting that some of its 300 providers are struggling to meet growing demand with fewer volunteers.
The network received €6.25 million in funding in last year's budget, but said food inflation has exacerbated the pressures they are under.
Just outside Emyvale, Co Monaghan, the kitchen at the Truagh Spirit Meals on Wheels service is at full tilt.
Over 100 dinners are being prepared.
The increase in the cost of food is being keenly monitored and felt here.
"It's constantly rising, it's been rising the last two years," said chef Kevin Crossan.
"Just for instance, today, we have mince on. This time last year, a portion of mince was €1 cheaper compared to what it is now, never mind the veg. The mince is gone up by €1 - and I'm doing over 50 portions, that's €50 for the cost alone just for today," he said.
There are other examples, too. A kilo of diced beef was €10 last March, now it's €11.89, he said.
A kilo of turkey has gone from €7.80 to €9.10. Five kilograms of prepared vegetables have increased by €2.50.
All of those increases add up when cooking for large numbers, he said.
It is now impacting on the menu.
"I've to cut down on the roast beef, because it's gone up 2.50 per kilo. When you're buying more than 15 kilos, that's another €50 on cost. I'm trying to use the cheaper cuts now, trying to get more out of it," he said.
"Our clientele are slightly older, they like what they like. It's harder to come up with new ideas for a substantial dinner for them. I know that they like the roast beef, and they like their turkeys. We have to accommodate them where we possibly can, but we're bringing in some cheaper cuts as well," he said.
Fiona McCaffrey Jones is the manager.
"It's very tough at the moment. And what we really want to do is just highlight the fact that soaring food costs are having such a negative impact," she said.
In March 2024, the service put their own prices up - from €7 per meal, to the current rate of €8. She said that compared to last year, their food bill has soared.
"It's the huge price increases. Compared to the same period in 2024, the average is 26.7% and that's just an enormous increase."
"You don't want to cut the quality of the ingredients we're using to produce these nutritious Meals on Wheels, because that's what people a very traditional kind of Irish food. It's fresh vegetables, fresh potatoes, and locally sourced meat and fish as well for Fridays."
As well as the cost of food prices, there are other cost pressures too, namely VAT at 13.5%.
"The company made the decision to actually absorb that (the VAT) and not pass it on to our vulnerable service users. So, with all of these pressures, we just feel we're getting squeezed from both sides - the VAT issue and then the soaring cost of food," she said.
She is now calling on the Government to review the issue of VAT for services like hers and also to bring clarity to the issue, as she said the operation is now at a pinch point.
"We've managed not to cut back, but we're just going to have a look at our service going forward," she said.
The area they cover is sizable. It measures over 400 square kilometres of north Monaghan.
Many of its users are described as elderly and vulnerable.
Kitty McKenna is a regular customer and has much praise for the meals she receives, describing them as "tasty dinners I would have made when I was fitter".
She also said they are "great value", but she would not like to see the price go up.
"I wouldn't like it increased, I think it's fine as it is," she said, adding that she has also noticed the increase in food prices in the shops.
"It costs nearly as much to keep myself as it would when I had three or four children … I find now the shopping I get for one person is nearly as dear now as it was when I did the shopping for everyone," she said.
It is a similar story nearby with Rose Hughes. Any notion of an increase in the price of her Meals on Wheels service is not welcomed.
"I have my dinner every day, then pay for it at the weekend," she said.
What if the operators decide they need to up their price?
"I hope they don't," she said.
The Meals on Wheels keep on turning, but the service is feeling the squeeze.
