April 18, 2024 | By Emilie Jacques
Copper Shores Meals on Wheels recently received a $21,000 Aging & Adult Services grant from the Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress (UPCAP) for key kitchen upgrades. This funding will allow the program to purchase an exterior walk-in cooler, an industrial thermal printer and an ice machine.
Exterior walk-in cooler
As Meals on Wheels continues to strengthen partnerships with local producers and farmers, the need for food storage space has grown. The exterior walk-in cooler will be accessible to local agricultural partners outside of business hours, allowing them to drop off produce and keep it fresh until it can be processed the next morning.
Industrial thermal printer
Every meal that comes out of the kitchen has been individually packaged and sealed, an in-house process that ensures freshness and prevents contamination during delivery. The industrial thermal printer will allow Meals on Wheels to include nutrition information, distribution dates, reheating instructions and more directly onto the packaging that seals each meal.
Ice machine
The food served at the program’s congregate meal sites is prepared fresh each morning with the delivery meals, both needing to travel several miles before being served. As the summer months approach and weather warms, readily available ice becomes key in ensuring food safety for cold foods.
To learn more about the progress and upgrades being made at Meals on Wheels, visit coppershores.org/meals-on-wheels-news.
