The remarkable impact of Food Train’s Meal Makers project has been highlighted

A life-improving project which pairs volunteer cooks with older people across Scotland has broken the 30,000 meals milestone.

Meal Makers not only ensures older Scots enjoy good meals but tackles loneliness - work praised by Public Health Minister, Joe Fitzpatrick.

The service, established in 2014 with support including that from the Scottish Government, is part of award-winning charity Food Train, the organisation best known for improving the lives of older people living at home through its shopping delivery service.

It connects people who love cooking and are happy to share an extra portion of home-cooked food with an older person living nearby who appreciates a freshly-prepared meal and a chat.

Fitzpatrick said: “We are delighted to learn that the Meal Makers project has reached, and now exceeded, an astounding 30,000 meals delivered in Scotland. 

“This is an incredible milestone, and has been achieved under the unprecedented challenges faced through the coronavirus pandemic.

“We strongly value the work of Meal Makers and are proud to support them in their commitment to work with older people to eat well and age well.”

Across Scotland about 1,000 people in 22 council regions are currently being supported by the project.

Alister Reid, service manager at Meal Makers, said: “That we have now topped 30,000 meals made and delivered is a remarkable achievement. We can’t thank all of our volunteer cooks enough.

“The difference that they help make to older peoples’ lives is remarkable. By bringing people together through food, we’re not only helping with their physical diet and health, but their mental wellbeing.

“A chat for a few minutes - even socially distanced in the current climate - as a nutritious home-cooked meal is delivered can really lift the spirit of an older person who may see very few people.

“And it has to be said that our volunteers are not just hugely committed but tremendously talented. Many of their meals are amazing.”

By turning the everyday activity of cooking into a volunteering opportunity, Meal Makers not only provides people a chance to share their time and skills flexibly, but strengthens community connections.

For more information about Meal Makers - or to find out how you can support its work - go to www.mealmakers.org.uk