Jessica Hansen Emmick, nutrition coordinator for the Vernon County Aging and Disability Resource Center, told the advisory committee the program’s main goal is “reducing hunger and food insecurity of our older adults, and promoting that socialization.” The program is funded through “a combination of state and federal, local and private funds,” she said, and meals are offered on a contribution basis with a suggested range of $5 to $7 per meal.

The ADRC reported 2,606 home-delivered meals and 1,205 congregate meals in April for a total of 3,811 meals that month and 13,370 meals year-to-date through April. Emmick said the estimated cost to provide a congregate meal is about $17 and a home-delivered meal about $14.91, figures she gave when explaining why the program asks for contributions.

Emmick described delivery logistics: six home-delivery routes covering Westby, Viroqua, DeSoto (split), Readstown, La Farge and Hillsboro, with meals prepared in bulk at Readstown for several routes to maintain safe temperatures. Drivers use heated bags and 12‑volt adapters to preserve food temperature during multi-stop routes. Emmick described a safety benefit of home delivery: drivers are instructed to make visual contact because “one time I was doing a route … I could hear them hollering … I was able to peek in the window and I saw them on the floor. So I called 911.”

The nutrition advisory committee recommended providing shelf-stable emergency meals this season rather than frozen meals. Committee members discussed costs: shelf-stable meals were estimated at about $3.80–$5 per meal, while contracted frozen meals were quoted roughly $8.50–$9 per meal. Emmick said shelf-stable meals “last longer” and some recipients “have limited freezer space,” factors the committee cited when preferring shelf-stable options.

Program staff said they will continue to track weather cancellations and provide frozen or shelf-stable meals when routes are canceled; for example, staff generally require cutoffs by about 6:30 a.m. on weather days and provide an alternative meal so clients are “not without a meal.”

Emmick also noted volunteer needs and local meal-site partnerships. She said Viroqua is the largest site (more than 4,000 meals through April), followed by DeSoto and Westby, and that some sites both serve congregate meals and package 30–40 home-delivered meals daily. The ADRC is running an annual RFP process for next year’s meal provider contracts; staff said proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. on the 16th and will be opened at the Human Services/Veterans Services Committee meeting (date discussed in the meeting).