How Many Thermal Bags Does a Meals on Wheels Program Need?

Whether you’re starting a new route, replacing worn-out equipment, or
writing a grant request, one of the first questions is: how many
delivery bags do we actually need? Here’s a simple way to work
it out.

Step 1: List your
routes and meals per route

For each route, write down:

• The number of hot meals on the route on your
  busiest day
• The number of cold items (milk, salads, sandwiches)
  on the route
• How long the route takes from loading to the last
  stop
• Whether routes run at the same time or one after
  another

Use your busiest day, not your average day. A bag shortage on a heavy
day means meals don’t go out properly.

Step 2: Match bag sizes to
each route

Our thermal bags hold standard Meals on Wheels trays and our REusable
trays:

• Medium: 12 trays
• Large: 16 trays
• Jumbo: 20 trays

Divide each route’s hot meals by the bag size and round up. For
example:

Two smaller bags are often better than one big one on routes with
many stops. The driver opens only one bag at a time, so the other stays
closed and hot.

Step 3:
Decide electric or non-electric for each route

Long routes, many stops and cold weather call for electric
thermal bags, which plug into the vehicle’s 12-volt outlet and
put heat back in as meals are removed. Shorter routes can use
non-electric bags with a heat source, such as RouteHeat
units or our Electric Bag Heater. See our guide Electric
vs. Non-Electric Thermal Bags for the details.

Step 4: Add bags for cold
items

Hot and cold items should travel in separate bags.
Count the cold items on each route and add non-electric bags for
them.

Step 5:
Account for routes that run at the same time

Add up the bags for every route that’s on the road at the same
moment. That’s the total your program needs on hand. Routes that run
back to back can share bags, but the bags need time to be emptied, wiped
down and reloaded in between.

Step 6: Plan for growth and
backups

Most programs have waiting lists, and a route that carries 30 meals
today may carry 40 next year. Equipment also wears out and gets damaged.
Buying enough bags for your next stage of growth, and keeping backup
equipment on hand, means a damaged bag or a busy week never keeps meals
from going out.

Putting it together: an
example

A program runs six routes at the same time, each
carrying about 25 hot meals and a few cold items, with routes of two to
three hours.

• Hot meals: 1 Large + 1 Medium electric bag per route = 6
  Large + 6 Medium electric bags
• Cold items: 6 non-electric Medium bags (one per
  route)
• Growth: the program expects two new routes next year, so it budgets
  for 2 more sets

Let us do the math for you

Our Free Route Planner
helps you work out drivers, routes and equipment. Or call 1-800-332-6566
and we’ll put together a recommendation and quote for your program. We
ship across the United States and to Canada.