Ware Senior Center to charge $2.75 daily lunch fee, ending WestMass ElderCare nutrition contract

The Ware Council on Aging voted in June to discontinue its participation in the WestMass ElderCare Nutrition Program and adopt a new paid lunch policy that takes effect Aug. 1, 2018. The board approved the change after discussing fiscal shortfalls in the senior center food program and options to gain more control over purchasing and revenue.

John Zienowicz urged the council to consider switching vendors — “to go with the same vendors that the Ware Public Schools use,” he said in the minutes — arguing those vendors offered the lowest prices. After discussion, a motion to discontinue WestMass ElderCare Nutrition Program and create a new lunch policy was made by Janet Ciejka and carried "all in favor." The COA then voted to accept a new lunch policy on a motion by Julianne Cappe.

Under the policy adopted by the COA, daily lunch service will require a $2.75 fee payable at the front desk; each meal includes one milk or one coffee, and there is a $0.50 charge for each additional milk or coffee. An application for financial relief will be available at the front desk; the minutes say relief will be determined on a sliding fee scale by the Social Services Coordinator. The policy's effective date is listed as Aug. 1, 2018.

The minutes record the decision as a formal policy change intended to address rising food costs and stagnant or slightly lower donations. The transcript does not list a second to Ciejka’s motion to discontinue WestMass, but records the outcome as unanimous approval. The minutes do not specify which alternate vendors will be used or the anticipated annual budgetary impact of the switch.