The first food delivery services started during the Second World War, particularly throughout the Blitz where many homes were destroyed and large swathes of the population were left with no kitchens in which to cook their meals. The idea was developed from the work of the Women’s Volunteer Service who had previously delivered meals to servicemen; transferring the process to families that had lost their homes due to bombing raids.

Following the war the food delivery programmes developed by the Women’s Volunteer Service were continued. It is believed that the first use of the service occurred as early as 1947 in Hemel Hempstead. At this stage, rather than the vans that are used today, the meals were delivered using old prams. At this stage the meals that were being delivered were predominantly pre cooked and kept warm. In the modern age most local councils have developed similar services although predominantly councils now use frozen ready meals rather than delivering hot food.

Whilst it was in the UK that the first food delivery networks were created the idea soon spread around the world. In the United States the inaugural home delivery service for food was created in Philadelphia. From 1954 onwards this service strived to feed those that were housebound, ensuring that they received their quota of dietary requirements and would not go hungry. The Philadelphia model was used across the country, first in Columbus and then New York.

Australians were also quick to realise the benefits of food delivery services for the elderly. The first service in this country was started in 1952, apparently delivered by a woman on a tricycle before the Red Cross took over to ensure supply could meet the demand. Many other services started throughout Australia, including one in Port Adelaide and Sydney. Today food delivery programmes are well established and organised on regional basis.

Today food delivery services are well established in many different countries. Some still deliver hot food whilst others deliver chilled and frozen variants. In some cases volunteers are still the backbone of the service although many councils choose to pay their delivery drivers and chefs. As well as council run operations a number of private sector companies have started delivering frozen meals to people that may not necessarily meet the requirements for free meals.

Whether you are an established company looking to replace old and tired catering equipment, or a business that is looking to purchase certain pieces of equipment to improve your property, there are online specialists that provide a mass of equipment that ranges from refrigeration to coffee machines. These are all available to view via their online shop but luckily, you don’t have to worry about arranging collection, because they have a large range of delivery time and schedules to meet their customer’s needs and when best suits them.

It can often be a pain trying to arrange a convenient time to go and collect your items that have been ordered online, whether this is from the post office or a depot. Online suppliers provide delivery services to ensure that their customers choose the most suitable time for their equipment to arrive, and by simply browsing their website you can see yourself which is best suited to your needs. Whether you require free standard delivery, next day delivery or even Saturday delivery, the choice is yours. Of course, due to the size of some of the items they stock Advantage Catering Equipment may have additional charges for orders over £100, but with a service that can be tailored to you, the price to pay is a small one.

It’s always comforting to know that you can contact such a company, whether this is by phone or their contact page. Whether you have questions in regards to the product itself, the sizing or any other aspects before you commit to purchasing an item, there is someone on hand to give advice. It’s also important to know that you can call after a purchase to ensure that everything is on track for having your product delivered on time. Of course, nothing is guaranteed, especially with the weather being as dreadful as it has been but Advantage Catering Equipment happy to help in any way they can. So, if you are looking to improve your kitchen, log online today and ensure that you receive a reliable and efficient delivery service with Advantage Catering Equipment.