The Berks County Area Agency on Aging is changing the format and schedule of its home-delivered meals program for older adults beginning July 1.<\/p>\n
The program will switch from daily, ready-to-eat meals to frozen meals delivered twice each week.<\/p>\n
The changes will offer greater flexibility to those who receive home-delivered meals as well as consistent access to nutritious food, officials said in announcing the changes.<\/p>\n
The new program is in conjunction with Berks Encore, Boyertown Area Multi-Service and Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank.<\/p>\n
The meals will be freshly prepared by Helping Harvest\u2019s Community Kitchen at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts in Reading, with Berks Encore and Boyertown Area Multi-Service continuing to coordinate deliveries.<\/p>\n
The frozen meals offer peak freshness, reduce food waste and provide flexibility for individuals to heat and enjoy the meals on their own schedule, a benefit for those with varying daily routines or specific health needs, officials said.<\/p>\n
\u201cProviding frozen meals twice a week helps us deliver the same high-quality nutrition our residents rely on while improving reliability and strengthening our service model,\u201d said Jessica Jones, agency on aging director. \u201cThis change also ensures we can continue meal delivery safely during weather disruptions or other unexpected challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n
Officials noted key features of the updated program:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Twice weekly meal deliveries directly to the homes of eligible older adults.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Frozen meals that can be safely stored and heated when needed.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Nutritious, dietitian-reviewed meals that meet state and federal dietary standards.<\/p>\n
\u2022 More flexibility for older adults to enjoy meals on their own schedule.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Continued well-check during meal delivery.<\/p>\n
Staff and volunteers will maintain regular personal contact during deliveries to support safety and identify any emerging needs.<\/p>\n
The home-delivered meals program is available to Berks residents 60 and older who have difficulty preparing meals on their own or leaving their homes.<\/p>\n