PHOTO: Tenterfield assistant meals on wheels chef Melissa Hills with fellow assistant Jennifer Parker.

 

The Tenterfield community can look forward to more fresh meals delivered to their door with the announcement of nearly $15,000 in Federal Government funding for a new commercial-grade kitchen.

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, this week congratulated Tenterfield Total Care – Meals on Wheels, on its $14,348 grant through the Stronger Communities Programme.

 

“This organisation provides an invaluable lifeline to Tenterfield residents,” Mr Joyce said.

 

“It offers not only a meal service but also a friendly face to many grateful members of the local community.”

 

The upgrade will transform the existing Manners Street facilities into a fully-fledged commercial kitchen complete with new air-conditioning, stainless steel benches and splashback, new pass-through dishwasher, freezer room and canopy exhaust fan.

 

Mr Joyce said the 50-strong volunteer group has come a long way since it started operating Tenterfield’s Meals on Wheels service in October 2017.

 

“When they took over last year, they were doing about 56 meals a week,” Mr Joyce said.

 

“In seven months, they were doing up to 100 a week. Now they’re serving up close to 600 meals a month, or about 150 a week.

 

“This upgrade will greatly assist the organisation cater to its steadily growing demand.”

 

Dee-Anne Cowin from Tenterfield Total Care said the kitchen facelift will allow the group to expand its client base even bigger again.

 

“We’re expecting we’ll soon be serving up to 15,000 meals a year, so this funding is certainly going to be a big help,” Ms Cowin said.

 

Round three of the Stronger Communities Programme has so far delivered nearly $50,000 in funding for the New England electorate.

 

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