Hawaii County has acquired two state-of-the-art F-150 Ford Hot Shot vehicles to support it Nutrition Program.
Through a combination of federal and state funding, these specialized vehicles equipped with hot and refrigerated sections “will play a crucial role in ensuring the safe and timely delivery of meals to elderly residents participating in the program,” according to a press release.
The county’s Nutrition Program is dedicated to serving the needs of Hawaii Island’s elderly population, with approximately 430 home-delivered participants and an additional 620 congregate meal site participants across Hawaii Island. Recognizing the unique challenges posed by the diverse geography of Hawaii County, these new vehicles will facilitate the delivery of hot and cold meals to those in need.
The heated and refrigerated sections of the vehicles are specially designed to maintain the required safety temperatures for food items during transportation. Frozen meals will remain frozen from packing to the meal site or participant’s home.
“The acquisition of these specialized vehicles represents a significant investment in the well-being of our elderly residents,” Mayor Mitch Roth said in the press release. “The ability to safely transport and deliver hot and cold meals is crucial to the success of the Hawaii County Nutrition Program. As we navigate the unique challenges of our rural landscape, these vehicles will ensure that our seniors receive the nutritious meals they depend on.”