Article – The familiar knock-knock of Daphne Martin’s insulated delivery bag has become a lifeline for dozens of St. John’s seniors. At 72, she’s been volunteering with Meals on Wheels for over a decade, forming bonds with clients who often see her as their only regular visitor.
“Sometimes I’m the only person they’ll talk to all day,” Daphne tells me as we drive between deliveries on a misty March morning. “It’s never just about the food.”
But across Newfoundland and Labrador, thousands of seniors and people with disabilities who could benefit from meal delivery services simply don’t have access. That’s about to change with NL Health’s announcement of a $4.3 million investment to expand Meals on Wheels services to 17 additional communities by the end of 2025.
The program currently serves approximately 1,200 clients across the province, primarily concentrated in St. John’s, Corner Brook, and Gander. The expansion aims to add capacity for an additional 900 clients in underserved areas including Bonavista, Clarenville, and several communities along the Northern Peninsula.
For Janet Coish, 86, who lives alone in a modest bungalow in St. John’s East End, the daily meal deliveries represent more than just nutrition. “They check that I’m okay. They notice if something seems off,” she explains, arranging today’s delivery of beef stew, steamed vegetables, and apple crumble on her small kitchen table. “My daughter lives in Alberta. Knowing someone comes by each day gives her peace of mind too.”
An aging demographic combined with Newfoundland’s challenging geography has created what Dr. Michelle Fleming, geriatric specialist at Memorial University, calls “a perfect storm of isolation risk.”
“Food insecurity among seniors is often invisible,” Dr. Fleming explains. “Many older adults who struggle to prepare meals due to mobility or health issues suffer silently rather than ask for help. The expansion of meal services represents not just nutritional support but crucial social connection.”
Statistics Canada data shows that Newfoundland and Labrador has the most rapidly aging population in Canada, with projections indicating that by 2043, nearly 36% of residents will be over 65. This demographic shift has placed increased pressure on healthcare and community support systems.
According to Health Canada’s 2023 report on senior nutrition, approximately 23% of Canadian seniors living independently experience some form of food insecurity, with higher rates in rural and remote communities.
Nancy Braye, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels St. John’s, says the service currently operates at capacity with a waiting list. “We’ve had to prioritize those with the highest needs. It’s heartbreaking to put someone on a waiting list when you know they’re struggling to feed themselves properly.”
The provincial expansion includes funding for commercial kitchen upgrades, transportation infrastructure, and volunteer recruitment. Health Minister Tom Osborne emphasized that the program is designed to help seniors and people with disabilities maintain independence while receiving proper nutrition.
“It costs approximately $5,000 per year to provide daily meals to a client,” Osborne noted in the funding announcement. “Compare that to the roughly $140,000 annual cost of a long-term care bed. This is both compassionate care and fiscally responsible policy.”
The expansion plan includes a sliding fee scale based on income, with subsidized and free meals available to those who qualify. NL Health hopes to partner with existing community organizations in many locations to implement the program.
In Bonavista, one of the communities slated for service in early 2025, Mayor John Norman sees it as addressing a critical gap. “We have seniors who’ve lived here their entire lives but now struggle with meal preparation. Many don’t want to leave their homes, but they need support to stay.”
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has also voiced support for the expansion. Constable Sarah Tilley, who works extensively with vulnerable populations, explains that welfare checks on isolated seniors often reveal concerning nutrition situations.
“We find empty fridges or expired food. Sometimes seniors are stretching their limited budgets by skipping meals. Having regular meals and check-ins can be life-changing for folks who would otherwise fall through the cracks.”
While food security experts applaud the expansion, some caution that implementation will face challenges unique to Newfoundland’s geography and climate.
“Our rural communities are spread out, our winters are harsh, and many roads become difficult to navigate,” explains Dr. Catherine Mah, Canada Research Chair in Promoting Healthy Populations at Dalhousie University, who has studied food systems in Newfoundland extensively. “The province will need to develop flexible delivery models that can adapt to these realities.”
Back in St. John’s, volunteer Daphne Martin believes the human element remains most crucial. “You can’t separate the meal from the moment of connection. Sometimes I’m the first to notice if someone seems confused or unwell.”
For client Janet Coish, the program represents dignity as much as nutrition. “I raised five children in this house,” she tells me, gazing out her kitchen window at the harbor. “I never thought I’d reach a point where I couldn’t feed myself properly. This program means I can still live in my own home.”
As Newfoundland and Labrador’s population continues to age, programs like Meals on Wheels sit at the intersection of healthcare, food security, and community connection. The 2025 expansion marks a significant step toward ensuring that the province’s most vulnerable residents don’t have to choose between proper nutrition and remaining in their communities.
When I ask Daphne what makes a good Meals on Wheels volunteer, her answer is simple: “You need to genuinely care about people. The meal is just the excuse to check in. The real service is making sure no one feels forgotten.”
