FORT ST. JOHN -- Northern Health is still searching for a new food provider to take over the Meals on Wheels program after Anelia’s Kitchen dropped out earlier this week.

Owner Jeanette Johnston said the decision was due to the high cost of making the food.

The cost of preparing a meal is $3 while they only receive $8 from the customer.

Johnston said she was offered a 1 year contract from Northern Health to stay on but declined.

Her final day as a contractor is on October 1st.

Northern Health said if they can’t find a replacement provider, seniors can go to the grocery stores and buy pre-packaged meals.

MLA for Peace River South Dan Davies said, “first of all, many of them can’t get to the grocery store. That’s why there’s Meals on Wheels.”

Davies the program allows seniors to have, “at least one nutritious meal to be delivered to them, than say going to the grocery store. Like a Hungry Man meal. That doesn’t cut it.”

Nearly 40 seniors rely on Meals on Wheels for their food.