THE contract for providing the Forest's Meals on Wheels provision comes from Merthyr Tydfil in South wales, it has just been revealed.

The information about Gloucestershire County Council' s procurement was made known during a meeting to discuss the possibility of the Cinderford-based Age Concern kitchen taking over the Forest of Dean element of the Meals on Wheels contract, which is currently provided by the Royal Voluntary Service.

Gloucestershire County Councillor Paul McMahon said: "We were astounded to be told that Gloucestershire's Meals on Wheels provision is cooked as far away as Merthyr Tydfil.

"Just think of the timing of food production to its delivery to the recipient.

"Merthyr is two hours away in a commercial vehicle from the distribution centre in Gloucestershire, and then the containers have to be taken to the recipient, which is another time factor.

"It could take as long as four hours to deliver the food containers in time for lunch.

"This whole situation creates unnecessary food miles, especially when we have a very good facility locally capable of producing the meals for the Forest of Dean area."

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