County Announces Operation of Meals on Wheels - Says No Changes to Deliveries

DELHI — Delaware County currently contracts Delaware Opportunities, Inc. to provide nutrition  services to Delaware County residents 60 years or older and their spouses. The program  operates six congregate meal sites as well as home delivered meals for those seniors that  cannot make it to a meal site. The program is funded through state and federal subsidies,  the Delaware County Board of Supervisors, and donations. Recent contract discussions have  led to a review of the program and alternatives to the current way Senior Meals is  administered. Delaware County is committed to providing the highest quality nutrition for  our senior population, keeping meal sites throughout the county, and supporting home  delivery where needed. 

During the most recent contract negotiations with Delaware Opportunities, Inc., we have  determined the costs associated with contracting the service out is not sustainable based on  previous year’s budget increases. Today, the Delaware County Board of Supervisors Office  for the Aging (OFA) oversight committee met to discuss the contract issues and possible  resolutions. The committee moved to provide for a pro-rated contract with Delaware  Opportunities, Inc., set to expire on December 31, 2026,then starting in 2027 the Senior Meals  program would be administered through the county rather than contracted to a third party.  In the event this is not agreeable to Delaware Opportunities Inc., and they cease  administration of the program immediately, Delaware County has developed a plan to  continue the service without interruption as a County-run program. 

The County would provide Senior Meals through a food service provider that can prepare hot, home cooked, nutritionally balanced meals for the same donation as is currently offered at all  six congregate meal sites. Home deliveries will remain the same and all current employees  of the Senior Meals program will have the opportunity to apply to continue working with  Senior Meals as a county employee. The only change would be the direct administration as a  County-run program. 

Beginning in 2027 Delaware County will include Senior Meals as a fixed line item in the overall  county budget, through the OFA. The full program staffing, costs, meal site operations, home  delivery costs, and administration will be accounted for and no longer left to a third-party  contract. The same state and federal programs will continue to support senior nutrition and  will be used to offset the direct cost of the program as part of the County budget. Delaware  County senior nutrition programs are a priority of the Delaware County Board of Supervisors’, and our efforts are to ensure no meals will be missed as we make this transition.