Every day at around 11 o’clock in the morning, dozens of meals arrive at St. Christopher House, ready for volunteers to distribute to Meals on Wheels clients around the city. Back in October, as part of this year’s Meals on Wheels Week, several Meals on Wheels clients and staff members took a field trip to see how and where Meals on Wheels’ frozen meals get made.

The trip took them out to Brampton , the home of Private Recipe, Meals on Wheels’ frozen meals provider. Upon arrival, the group was met by a tour guide and the company president, who gave them an overview of the company and its operations.

After an overview of the company and its operations by the Private Recipe President, the group was given a tour of the actual plant. After donning gowns and hats to avoid contaminating the food being prepared, the Meals on Wheels group found The Private Recipe plant to be something like an everyday kitchen, but with everything in extra-large. The plant is outfitted with massive freezers for frozen meat, for instance, each fitted out with alarm systems in case freezer temperatures dropped below ideal temperatures. Entire days were dedicated to making one particular dish – this day was dedicated to making carrot soup, for instance – except meat, which rotated week by week. The final room of the tour was the order delivery room, where employees had to wear winter suits because it was so cold.

After the tour, The Meals on Wheels group was treated to lunch before heading back to Toronto . Everyone was impressed with the care and patience taken by Private Recipe and its employees.