Food Train’s Meal Makers marks 10th anniversary of tackling malnutrition and loneliness throughout the country.

More than 100,000 home-cooked meals have been served up by volunteers tackling malnutrition and loneliness among older people in Scotland.

The milestone has been struck by the Scottish Government-supported Meal Makers project, 10 years on from its launch.

Led by older people’s charity Food Train, the initiative pairs people who love cooking and are happy to share an extra portion of home-cooked food regularly with someone living nearby who appreciates a freshly-prepared meal and a chat.

Throughout the past decade, hundreds of volunteer cooks across the country have given their time to make meals and share a little company.

With more older people being urged to come forward to benefit from Meal Makers, the search is on for more cooks in communities across the country to match them with.

Food Train chief executive Rosie McLuskie said: “There is, quite rightly, a lot of focus on loneliness at this time of year. But the fact of the matter is that loneliness and social isolation has a negative impact on the lives of worrying numbers of older people all year round.

“Meal Makers is a way of tackling that - ensuring someone living alone can look forward to a visit and some company. Food is a way by which we can bring people together.

“Not only that, but ensuring someone is able to enjoy a freshly-cooked, nutritious meal is another way by which we can help reduce alarming rates of malnutrition among older people across Scotland.

“Cooking just one extra portion of food is such a simple thing to do, but it makes a real difference to health and happiness. Our volunteers are improving lives week in, week out.”

Screening statistics released by Food Train in November highlighted that 16% of over-65s across Scotland are at risk of becoming malnourished because they are not eating enough.

The charity fears the actual numbers are far higher, with concerns growing about undetected and unreported malnourishment among older people, many of whom are falling ill as a result.

Rona Hutchinson, 87, and Joyce McBride, 61, both of St Andrews in Fife, have been paired up as part of Meal Makers for about five years and have struck up a great friendship. Joyce takes in home-cooked meals every week.

“Signing up to Meal Makers is the best thing I’ve ever done,” said Rona, who has been a widow since 2011.

“Joyce is brilliant. She does a lovely job. Every day she visits is like Christmas because you never know what she’s going to bring. She’s worth her weight in gold.

“It makes such a difference when you know that someone is bringing you a nice meal in.

“Joyce cooks such a variety of things - and she makes lovely home-baked scones.”

Among Rona’s favourite dishes are Joyce’s sweet and sour chicken and fish and chips.

Joyce is a retired golf shop manager who was also a professional chef for 17 years.

“I love cooking,” she said. “Being involved with Meal Makers and coming to see Rona is just an excuse for me to make a little bit extra.”

Meal Makers was launched as a pilot project in Dundee, supporting a handful of older people, before being rolled out across Scotland.

Food Train, which will mark its 30th anniversary in 2025, works to tackle malnutrition and loneliness by helping just over 3,000 older people across Scotland to eat well and live well in their own homes.

As well as its meal-making and befriending services, it is perhaps best recognised for its award-winning home shopping delivery services which operate across 11 local authority regions.

Meal Makers is available to anyone over the age of 55 who would enjoy a home-cooked meal and some company. The day and time for sharing the meal is agreed between the Food Train member and the cook.