The National Association of Care Catering (NACC) is calling for nationwide support for Meals on Wheels Week 2026, which will take place from 2–6 November.
The annual campaign will highlight the role Meals on Wheels services play in supporting older and vulnerable people to live safely and independently in their own homes.
The NACC said demand for the service is increasing across the UK while provision continues to decline.
Alongside providing nutritious meals, delivery services can offer regular social contact and opportunities to identify changes in recipients’ health, hydration, wellbeing or home environment.
The NACC has organised Meals on Wheels Week for more than three decades, bringing together caterers, suppliers, volunteers, drivers, carers, service users and members of the public.
This year’s campaign will operate under the theme ‘More Than Just a Meal’, with a different focus for each day.
Spotlight Monday on 2 November will encourage MPs, councillors and community leaders to join delivery rounds or visit production kitchens.
Thank You Tuesday on 3 November will recognise the people involved in delivering Meals on Wheels services.
Wellness Wednesday on 4 November will focus on nutrition, hydration, health and maintaining independence.
Warm, Safe & Well Thursday on 5 November will highlight winter safety and local support available to older and vulnerable people.
Friday Friends on 6 November will focus on social connection and the role shared meals can play in reducing isolation.
Neel Radia, NACC National Chair, said: “As a country we simply cannot afford to lose any more Meals on Wheels services.
“We all know that prevention is better than cure, and a regular nutritious hot meal and reminder to keep hydrated go a long way to preventing unnecessary hospital admissions or the need for a care home place.
“But the positive impact of Meals on Wheels goes way beyond nutritional support. I cannot emphasise strongly enough that we are talking about More Than Just a Meal.
“The drivers delivering the meals are able to identify cold or unsafe homes, slips, trips and falls risks, or changes in health or wellbeing before they turn into a crisis which puts extra pressure on our overstretched health and social care services.
“Meals on Wheels Week is not only about celebrating this wonderful provision; it is also about protecting the future of Meals on Wheels by bringing the services to the attention of everyone from the UK Government to the general public.”
Participants are being encouraged to share their activity throughout the week using the hashtags #MealsonWheels2026, #MoreThanJustAMeal and #SaveMealsOnWheels.