Victorian Meals Provider Survey

Transcription

1 Victorian Meals Provider Survey

2 MEALS VICTORIA Provider Survey 2008 page 143

3 page 144 Victorian Meals Provider Survey 9.1 Member of Meals Victoria Respondents to the survey were asked if they were members of Meals Victoria. Over half (61 per cent) indicated they were, and one-third (33 per cent) were not. Overall, per cent said they were not a member, but someone else in the organisation was (the remaining 22 per cent just said no ). Six per cent didn t know if they were members, which suggests their organisation may arrange these types of memberships. Results indicate respondents from metropolitan providers (86 per cent) and providers of more than 40,000 meals (92 per cent) were more likely to be members of Meals Victoria than regional providers (47 per cent) and providers of less than,000 meals (41 per cent). Figure 86: Member of Meals Victoria Don t know 6% No 33% Yes 61% 9.2 Satisfaction with Membership 38 Respondents that were members of Meals Victoria were asked to rate their satisfaction with their membership on a scale from 1 to. Nearly half (46 per cent) provided a rating of 7 to 8. The average rating provided was 7.6 out of. Despite lower rates of membership, regional providers (8.0) and providers of more than,000 meals (8.6) provided higher ratings than average. Figure 87: Satisfaction With Membership 30 PER CENT (%) Don t know 38 Based on Meals Victoria members.

4 Some respondents provided additional comments that impacted their satisfaction rating, with some indicating low awareness: per cent said they were new to the service and 14 per cent that they don t go to meetings. page 145 Additional Comments New service - haven t had much to do with it % Don t go to meeting/can t make it 14% Get minutes/report/get info from someone else who goes % 9.3 Suggestions for Meals Victoria 39 Respondents that were members of Meals Victoria were asked if they have any suggestions regarding services for members. Over half (56 per cent) provided a suggestion, with 42 per cent indicating they believe Meals Victoria is doing a good job. Figure 88: Suggestions for Meals Victoria Don t know 2% No, doing a good job 42% Yes 56% As shown in the following graph, the suggestions made most often relate to information: Information about what others are doing (24 per cent) More of the latest information ( per cent) Improve website (12 per cent) Meal information ( per cent) Standardise/more information on regulations ( per cent) Use survey results (eight per cent). In addition 14 per cent suggested meetings be held closer (location), and 14 per cent indicated they would like Meals Victoria have a higher profile, lobby for more funds and/or work more closely with DHS. 39 Based on Meals Victoria members.

5 page 146 Victorian Meals Provider Survey Figure 89: Suggestions for Meals Victoria Information - what others are doing/sharing Information - latest trends/recent issues 24 Hold meetings closer Higher profile/lobby for funds/work with DHS Improve website 12 Meal information Standardise/More info on regulations Use these survey results 8 Positive Comment PER CENT (%) Other suggestions were made by only a small proportion and are presented in the following table. Most reflect the above comments, with a focus on provision of information and having a greater voice. Other mentions Choice/meal information/menu ideas 3% Want more replies from chat/forum/more people at meetings 3% Volunteers - help with/information on recruiting/maintaining future of 3% Meetings - more/hold on a different day 3% Meals committee/a face to the department/have more voice 3% Meals strategy/organisational profiles 3% Financial help (for volunteers) 3% Software/computer programs 2% Committee/top meals people - instigate topics/ideas 2% Provide info to us for customers about state and local government 2% Newsletter 2%

6 Respondent comments Part of the benefit is networking, especially to new people in the field or country people share more information about systems (computer), how they use them and how they tweaked them. I can see with the new labelling requirements this is an area where Meals Victoria may be able to provide assistance. I think information on other services benchmarking who is doing what and how and why. A wonderful survey about what everyone is doing is the best thing that has come out of it for a very long time especially due to the differences in the way that Meals on Wheels are supplied. The web site doesn t seem to be in use it is rather stagnant, not been updated. Maybe more interconnection or information from DHS it would be good to have them come out and discuss strategy where meals sit in the bigger picture have a quarterly appearance where they can answer questions they get a lot of bang for their $1.36. Standardised paperwork to assist with policy and procedures. A monthly newsletter. Advice on the latest trends and best practice initiatives. I would like to see them lobby for some payment. The website has no information on it. People seek information, but the results aren t there. Meetings could offer support. I would like to know how many more people are in the situation we are in ability to compare notes with others. Less talk about policies and procedure. More on the ground stuff coalface. Wanting them to be more neutral regarding the regional kitchen. They seem to be pushing the regional kitchen and doing a lot for that. Lobbying government. That is something we don t have time to do, but desperately need. More people turning up to meetings make it a better discussion. More advocacy and researching issues. Have some meetings that are not in Melbourne. It is a three-hour travel for me I try to get to as many as I can (meetings). page 147

7 page 148 Victorian Meals Provider Survey 9.4 Should Meals Victoria Have a Sponsor 40 Around half (45 per cent) of members felt Meals Victoria should have a sponsor, with around one-quarter (24 per cent) disagreeing and around one-third (31 per cent) not sure. Figure 90: Meals Victoria Sponsorship Don t know 31% Yes 45% No 24% For many respondents this was not a simple question. A reasonable proportion made additional comments, with 32 per cent of respondents raising the importance of ensuring there are no conflicts of interest. This response was similar among respondents that said yes and no (higher among respondents that said don t know). In addition, eight per cent mentioned transparency or value based principles. Funding issues were mentioned by per cent, in addition per cent indicated that it could be better to raise funds in other ways. Figure 91: Sponsorship - Additional Comments PER CENT (%) Total Yes No 5 0 Conflict of interest Good to have/ wouldn't hurt 7 Funding issues 4 Fundraising other ways Corporate 8 Transparency/ value based principles 5 4 Raise profile 40 Based on Meals Victoria members.

8 Respondent comments Yeah, well it would help finances and things like that never say no to extra support. It would be good food outlet like McCains or a large food producer would help out and make aware what meals on wheels is all about volunteers are a big part of this so if there was some sponsorship I would go for it. I don t know, that is an interesting question, its an independence issue if you had McCain Food as a sponsor, is that a conflict of interest, so my gut feeling says no. I don t see why not with proper controls I think there needs to be transparency to where the money is coming from and where it is going to be used. Who would we be looking at the food industry if we could get one of these big food magnates on board that could be good hang on I m not sure on that one. It s reasonable to consider whether commercial industry related weigh up who we can approach Nestle would be appropriate for our organisation some would be inappropriate like McDonalds. Would be excellent like everything these days its all about the dollars. I think it should remain independent if possible and get more revenue by increasing fees I d really like to see the DHS annual contribution increased to allow for the employment of at least one full time staff member Australian Meals on Wheels sponsor main is Nestle they produce a whole lot of convenience products their corporate reputation in third world countries is appalling. I think as long as its compatible with their values and organisational goals I wouldn t see McDonalds being a sponsor of Meals Victoria personally. It would need to be the right sort of sponsor it would help income source something to do with meals like containers they need to be reputable. A sponsor that was in a non-related industry would be more appropriate, like OPEC or Grey Power. The TV channels they should have a marketing sub-committee that can design some marketing in terms of volunteering. Raise the awareness of volunteering at that level because it is difficult across all areas of council. page 149

9 page 0 Victorian Meals Provider Survey 9.5 Website 41 Respondents that were members of Meals Victoria were asked how often they visit the website. Only 12 per cent visit the website monthly or more often. Nearly onequarter (22 per cent) have never visited the website and 31 per cent have visited it only once, or once per year. Around one-third (34 per cent) indicated visiting the website every few months. Figure 92: Frequency of Visiting Meals Victoria Website Weekly or more often 5 Less than once a week to monthly 8 Every few months 34 Twice a year 2 Once/once a year 29 Never Respondents that have visited the website were asked to rate how satisfied they were with the website. As shown in the following graph, most provided ratings between 5 and 8, resulting in an average of 6.2. Regional providers (7.0) and providers of less than,000 meals (7.4) provided higher ratings, on average, than metropolitan providers (5.6) and providers of more than 40,000 meals (5.6): an interesting result as these providers were less likely to be Meals Victoria members. Figure 93: Satisfaction With Website 30 PER CENT (%) PER CENT (%) Don t know 41 Based on Meals Victoria members and members that have used the website.

10 Respondent comments It could be a lot better not terribly interactive not a lot on it at this stage. I cannot remember my password it was down for a very long time and I have no idea how to get into it. I found it a bit difficult to get into couldn t find anything I needed or wanted on it. There is no information that is useful on that website. Tried to get in to do some things, but can t get on. Was difficult to use. Not impressed should have more information like how to run a food safety plan Things like the labelling, the latest about that training links to those that run appropriate training. Looks nice should be expanded. page 1