Snow prompted the Southern District Health Board to cancel Meals on Wheels in Dunedin yesterday for the first time Wendy Patterson could recall in the 28 years she had been helping the service.
The Otago Age Concern driver co-ordinator said it was a "wee bit sad" the service was cancelled, as usually on snow days Otago's Land Rover Owners Club, along with the better equipped driver volunteers, ensured the meals got through.
Mrs Patterson said she had been advised early yesterday a shortage of staff because of the conditions meant the DHB had to prioritise its hospital patient meals.
The DHB had also indicated it required the four-wheel-drive club's assistance for other services.
Mrs Patterson said she accepted the DHB had had to make the call, and make it early enough to get the word out.
She had fielded a small number of calls from people wondering where their meal was, but most had presumably heard the cancellation notices on local radio stations.
On previous snow days, recipients often expressed surprise and delight upon receiving their meal, and she expected those affected yesterday had not been greatly put out.
Community support services general manager Elaine Chisnall, through a DHB spokeswoman, said the service was cancelled because of the treacherous road conditions and road closures.
"[Age Concern] organises transport as part of their contract but ... the conditions were too hazardous today to deliver meals."
She confirmed fewer staff were available to prepare meals, but this had not forced the cancellation.
Meals on Wheels was not an "emergency service".
On the Taieri, meals were prepared locally by service organisations by agreement with the DHB.
Mosgiel district provider, Taieri Court Rest Home, was able to deliver 74 of its 75 meals, with just one person missing out because of the snow, food service manager, Diane Todd, said.
Many "thrilled" recipients had rung to praise the service for delivering the noon meal, as they had not expected to get it.
In greater Dunedin, including Palmerston, about 200 Meals on Wheels are prepared each day.
