After the death of his wife a couple of years ago, Ernest Boutilier, an 83-year-old widower from Petawawa, faced a challenge many older adults experience: cooking for himself. For decades, his wife had been the cook in their household, preparing meals with love and care. When she passed away, Ernest found himself struggling to maintain a balanced diet.

Not being much of a cook himself, he turned to quick fixes like hot dogs and bologna, but “living on hot dogs and bologna was not very healthy,” he says. “I started gaining too much weight, and I was concerned about my nutrition.” It became clear that something had to change.

Seeking help, Ernest contacted Veterans Affairs, who connected him with Carefor’s frozen meal delivery program. Since last summer, he has been using the service, receiving a variety of nutritionally balanced meals that have made a significant difference in his life.

Food insecurity is a pressing issue for many in Renfrew County. Recent statistics show that approximately one in four families in the region experience food insecurity, with the rising cost of food and accommodation being key contributing factors. An additional burden for many seniors is the lack of accessible transportation and having to live on a fixed income. As a result, many seniors find themselves relying on inexpensive, but unhealthy food options, which can lead to poor nutrition and health problems.

While Carefor operates the program, the meals are prepared by local producer Griffith Farm who uses their own pasture-raised beef and free-run chickens in their meals. The program delivers meals right to his door once a week, and Ernest now receives one meal per day, six days a week.

For Ernest, the frozen meal program has been a lifeline. “After my wife died, I wasn’t doing so well,” Ernest admits. He has a son who lives in Ottawa but for the most part he’s on his own having to look after himself. Now he has Carefor driver, Michel, to help him out by bringing the meals to his door.

Meal delivery programs are a lifeline for many seniors providing them access to nutrition that they might not get as age reduces their access to the community. Carefor is participating in Ontario Community Services Association’s March for Meals Campaign to bring awareness to and raise money to support meal delivery programs for people like Ernest. To donate visit www.carefor.ca/donate.

Living on his own, Ernest is grateful for the support the program provides, and it’s clear that it has made a significant difference in his quality of life. Now, instead of worrying about what to eat, he can enjoy his meals with the peace of mind that he’s aging well with proper nutrition.