The Healthy Aging Policy Innovation Lab (HAPIL) at the University of New Brunswick, led by Dr. Catherine Bigonnesse, the Canada Research Chair in Healthy Aging and an associate professor in political science, has released its first report examining how the community-based meal program Meals on Wheels contributes to healthy aging in New Brunswick.
Launched in 2022 with funding from the Government of Canada's Canada Research Chair's program, the Canada Foundation for Innovation's John R. Evans Leaders Fund and ResearchNB, HAPIL was created by Dr. Bigonnesse to serve as a social innovation lab dedicated to policy innovation and advancing healthy aging.
Atlantic Canada has the fastest-growing aging population in the country. As part of the lab's research, Dr. Bigonnesse conducted the province's first comprehensive study on Meals on Wheels programs, an essential service that delivers nutritious meals to older adults, veterans and individuals with health challenges.
"Food is such an essential experience for human beings. Access to nutritious meals at all ages, but especially later in life, is a major contributor to healthy aging," said Dr. Bigonnesse. "For many reasons older adults might not be able to access or afford good quality food."
"As a researcher, I wanted to document what the state of Meals on Wheels programs were in the province but the information was not available anywhere," added Dr. Bigonnesse. "When you are faced with those kinds of research gaps the only solution is to go to the source and ask those with first-hand experience, and this is how the lab partnered with Meals on Wheels organizations for this project."
From early 2024 to April 2025, her lab in collaboration with MOW representatives in Saint John and Fredericton, co-designed a research plan, surveyed 11 organizations and hosted a community forum to better understand who relies on their programs and the challenges they face as organizations.
The findings highlight both the scale and complexity of these programs:
- Most clients are 65+, with some younger adults living with disabilities.
- An estimated 226,260-232,188 meals are delivered annually in New Brunswick.
- Most MOW clients pay for their meals through subsidies.
- Access to nutritious meals improves MOW clients' independence and social connection and reduces their reliance on the health care system.
The study also identifies pressing challenges, including volunteer shortages, lack of stable funding, rising food costs and infrastructure limitations.
"Our collaboration with Dr. Bigonnesse and the UNB Healthy Aging Policy Innovation Lab has been extremely informative and an excellent experience," said Betty Daniels, Meals on Wheels of Fredericton, Inc. "We are very grateful for the opportunity to work with Dr. Bigonnesse and the Lab on this endeavor and learnings gleamed from this initiative will only benefit the people across the province.
"The opportunity to study the existence of Meals on Wheels organizations across the province has provided invaluable insight into how we can work toward ensuring province-wide coverage," said Darlene Moore, Community Meals on Wheels Saint John, Inc. "By coming together and making evidence-informed decisions, we can advance our vision and ensure that all communities in New Brunswick benefit from Meals on Wheels."
Meals on Wheels plays a vital role in helping New Brunswick seniors, individuals with disabilities and those recovering from injury or hospitalization, remain in their homes for as long as possible.
To support the long-term sustainability of organizations delivering Meals on Wheels programs, Dr. Bigonnesse's report recommends:
- Establishing a provincial coordinating body to strengthen collaboration and advocacy.
- Building partnerships with organizations promoting food security.
- Working with academic institutions to standardize data collection and evaluation.
"I truly believe that without direct involvement in research and collaboration with people who are dealing with the challenges we try to solve, we cannot create meaningful and effective policy solutions," said Dr. Bigonnesse. "Those recommendations give Meals on Wheels organizations the tools and a pathway to effectively advocate for better funding and to demonstrate the crucial role they play in supporting the health and independence of their clients so they can stay in their home as long as possible."
This report is part of HAPIL's broader mission to provide accessible data and engage older adults in shaping policies that support independence, social connection and well-being.
Learn more about the HAPIL and Dr. Bigonnesse's research.
