Meal and Menu Review Program
At Meals on Wheels NSW, we know that good nutrition plays an important role in helping older people stay healthy, independent and living well at home. That's why our Meal and Menu Review Program brings together the expertise of our in-house Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) and local Meals on Wheels services to strengthen the nutritional quality of meals delivered across NSW.
Through personalised, evidence-based menu and recipe reviews, we're helping services build on what they already do well and continue providing nutritious, enjoyable meals that meet the diverse needs and preferences of their clients.
Our Impact Across NSW
73
Menu reviews completed*
5,400+
Meals assessed*
12,800+
Clients reached*
What is the Meal and Menu Review Program?
The Meal and Menu Review Program is a dietitian-led initiative developed by Meals on Wheels NSW to support local member services in delivering nutritious, safe and high-quality meals for older people.
The program is designed to help services meet new meal compliance requirements implemented in November 2025 under the Aged Care Act, without adding further financial pressure.
Drawing on evidence-based nutrition standards specifically designed for older adults, including the National Meal Guidelines and relevant aged care requirements, each review takes a collaborative approach, recognising the strengths of individual services while providing tailored, practical recommendations and ongoing dietetic support for implementing improvements in meal quality, nutrition and client choice.
Developed by Meals on Wheels Australia in partnership with the Smart Foods Centre at the University of Wollongong, the National Meal Guidelines provide Australia's first nationally consistent, evidence-based nutrition framework for meals delivered through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), supporting the changing nutritional needs of older Australians.
As part of our commitment to supporting the Meals on Wheels network, every member service was offered one initial menu review at no cost until November 2026. Subsequent subsidised reviews and ongoing dietetic support is available to help services maintain compliance, implement improvements and adapt to evolving nutritional requirements.
Why are menu reviews important?
Good nutrition plays an important role in healthy ageing. As we get older, our nutritional needs change, with adults over 70 requiring approximately 25% more protein to help maintain muscle strength, mobility and independence.
For many older people, Meals on Wheels provides an important source of daily nutrition. Guided by the National Meal Guidelines, meals aim to provide at least one-third of recommended dietary intake (RDI) for energy, fibre and calcium, and one-half for protein, vitamins and minerals.
But good nutrition is about more than meeting nutritional targets. Having access to a variety of enjoyable meals that reflect individual needs, preferences and dietary requirements is equally important for supporting appetite, wellbeing and quality of life.
Regular menu reviews help services strengthen nutritional quality, improve meal variety and client choice, and identify opportunities to better meet individual needs. By doing so, we're supporting older people to stay healthy, independent and living well at home.
*Data as of 28 October 2026
Meals on Wheels programs in NSW
Meals on Wheels NSW works alongside member services to develop and deliver innovative programs that support older people to live well and independently at home. This includes initiatives such as the Malnutrition Screening Pilot Program, which brings malnutrition screening to the clients' door.
