A significant increase in request for Meals on Wheels deliveries, and in participants at the free meal sites around Door County, were reported Monday during the reporting of the results of the annual Nutrition Survey performed by the Adult Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Door County.
With the increase in food costs, this came as no surprise to Nutrition Advisory Council members, nor to Assistant ADRC Director Nikki Scharrig.
Meals on Wheels Coordinator Barb Snow, noted that the demand for frozen meals has increased significantly, just in the last two months. Total meals delivered increased 10 percent from January through August 2026, and isn’t slowing down as gas prices climb alongside food prices. The meal requests from the MOW rural routes have also increased. Noteworthy alongside the survey results reporting that most of the respondents don’t want to or are unable to drive more than one to five miles for a meal.
ADRC manages the free and reduced cost meal program offered at four locations around Door County - Baileys Harbor, Liberty Grove, Sturgeon Bay, and Washington Island. The participation in those meal offerings increased 30 percent from the first to the second quarter of 2026.
The meal offerings provided by the ADRC, and Meals on Wheels, rely heavily on financial and product donations. The center can also accept produce, meat and dairy donations from area farmers, or gardeners who have an overabundance.
