A NATIONAL initiative to promote community meals came to County Hall in Dorchester today.

Organised by the National Association of Care Catering (NACC), the relay aims to drive home the message of the valuable community services during National Community Meals Week, which runs from November 10 to 14.

The week long relay will finish in Scotland Friday, November 14, after stopping at various points in England and Wales.

Dorset County Council is marking the week by providing food safety training for volunteers that run the many breakfast and lunch clubs across the county in partnership with environmental health officers.

There are more than 100 lunch clubs across Dorset, many supported with funding from the county council and run by an army of volunteers.

The slogan for this year’s campaign ‘Any time, any place, we care’ encapsulates the vital service community meals provide, whether delivered to the home or through day centres and luncheon clubs.

Not eating properly is a major cause of ill-health in the UK and Dorset, particularly among the elderly.  In the UK, general malnutrition affects nearly a third of people over 65 and the cost is estimated to be in the region of £13 billion a year.

But community meals services is not all about nutrition, it also serves a greater social role, addressing loneliness, social isolation, and safety and security in the home and community.

Cllr Jill Haynes, Cabinet member for adult social care, said:  “We are pleased to be supporting National Community Meals Week, and fly the flag for this worthy service that plays such an important role in the community.

“The aim is to highlight the help and support available for older and vulnerable people who might otherwise struggle to remain independent.

 “As well as providing delicious and nutritious meals, it also offers social interaction and ‘safe and well’ checks for those in need."

For more information about eating opportunities such as home delivery services, lunch clubs and much more, log onto; www.dorsetforyou.com/adult-nutrition