The Rogue Valley Council of Governments (RVCOG) Food & Friends Meals on Wheels and Senior Meals Program, which has provided meals to older adults in Jackson and Josephine Counties for over two decades, is facing an urgent challenge. The program has been informed that its lease for the commercial kitchen at the Olsrud Family Nutrition Center, operated by ACCESS, will be terminated effective August 31, 2025.
This unexpected change leaves RVCOG with less than six months to secure a new commercial kitchen to continue preparing and delivering approximately 1,400 meals daily to seniors across the two counties. The program, which has been in operation since 2001, serves homebound seniors through Meals on Wheels and provides meals at congregate sites for older adults who gather for social dining experiences.
RVCOG contracts with TRIO Community Meals, a food service provider responsible for preparing hot meals daily for seniors. In addition to regular weekday service, TRIO produces frozen meals for weekends and holidays. To continue uninterrupted service, the organization requires a new kitchen facility that meets specific operational needs.
The necessary kitchen space must be large enough to accommodate food preparation and storage, including a 20’ x 15’ walk-in freezer, a 20’ x 15’ walk-in cooler, and a 100-gallon steam jacket kettle for large-batch cooking. Additional space is needed for meal preparation stations, food packaging areas, an office for staff, a break room, and secure parking for three delivery vans.
Equally important, the new location must be centrally positioned along the I-5 corridor to facilitate efficient meal distribution across both counties. Given the large volume of meals produced daily, accessibility and logistical efficiency are top priorities.
The potential disruption to meal services is a significant concern for seniors who rely on the program for daily nutrition. Many recipients are elderly individuals who are homebound or have limited access to affordable, nutritious food. Without the Meals on Wheels program, these residents may struggle to meet their dietary needs.
Community meal sites also serve as vital social hubs for seniors, providing an opportunity to connect with others while enjoying a hot meal. The loss of a kitchen facility could jeopardize the program’s ability to continue offering these services, affecting thousands of local seniors who depend on these meals for sustenance and companionship.
RVCOG is reaching out to the community for assistance in identifying a new commercial kitchen before the lease expires. The organization is seeking leads on potential locations that meet the size and operational requirements needed for large-scale meal production.
“We need to secure a new space quickly to ensure that we can continue serving seniors in Jackson and Josephine Counties without interruption,” said Ann Marie Alfrey, Executive Director of RVCOG. “If anyone is aware of an available facility that might be suitable for our program, we encourage them to reach out to us as soon as possible.”
RVCOG is open to various possibilities, including partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits, or government agencies that may have kitchen space available. Given the program’s extensive reach and importance to the community, finding a solution is a top priority.
Community members, organizations, or businesses with information about potential kitchen locations are encouraged to contact either Jon Pfefferle, Nutrition Program Director (541-734-9505 x 4), or Ann Marie Alfrey, Executive Director (541-423-1334).
The Food & Friends program has been a vital resource in the region for over two decades, ensuring that seniors receive the nutrition they need to maintain their health and independence. With the help of the community, RVCOG hopes to transition smoothly to a new kitchen and continue serving meals without disruption.
For more information about the program and its services, visit the Rogue Valley Council of Governments website.
