New meals on wheels contract has been agreed

A new contract to provide meals on wheels across West Sussex has been agreed as the current arrangements expire in October.

The service has been run by Apetito under the current contract since October 2015 on a cost-neutral basis to West Sussex County Council.

It has around 700 customers and serves around 200,000 meals a year, up from around 134,000 per annum seven years ago.

Customers are primarily elderly, over the age of 80, housebound and often recovering from illness or hospitalisation.

The service employs around 35 people from two depots in West Sussex.

A contract for the service was retendered and Apetito was the successful bidder again. It will run the service for another five years, with the option to extend for a further two. The service also includes delivery of meals to people at adult services specialist day centres.