Kia Picanto Has Been Chosen By The HERTFORDSHIRE INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICE To Deliver Over 5,000,000 Meals Annually




Kia Picanto will be used by Hertfordshire Independent Living Service (HILS) to deliver more than half a million meals this year – more than 1,500 meals a day- to support older and vulnerable people across Hertfordshire.

This social cause was launched in 2007 to deliver hot meals to older and vulnerable people from just one location with two vehicles. Fast forward 14 years and now HILS manage from four locations with a fleet of around 80 vehicles.

Back in the initial days, HILS worked with a small fleet of ‘oven vans’ that were used to deliver freshly cooked food, but quickly transitioned to the more efficient delivery of ready-cooked food using a range of different city cars, but more recently the Kia Picanto.

Picanto was chosen by HILS for its size-defying five-door practicality combined with affordability and reassuring seven-year/100,000 mile warranty as standard. The picante comes with substantial levels of equipment and technology as standard.

Phil Martin, Director of Resources at HILS, commented: “The Kia Picanto has really impressed us and despite having previously having a fleet of city cars, the Picanto itself far exceeds other vehicles we have relied, on and suits our needs despite the large volumes of food we deliver on a daily basis.

“As important as the car’s features themselves, our decision to choose the Picanto was also based on the excellent business-focused service we received from the staff at Ken Brown Stevenage, which made the entire process straightforward and a pleasure.”

John Hargreaves, Head of Fleet and Remarketing at Kia UK Limited added: “HILS’ unique and unusual type of usage is proof that the Picanto delivers far more than its city car appearance may imply. We’re delighted HILS has chosen the Picanto to help deliver its excellent and essential services throughout Hertfordshire to those needing a helping hand.”

With over 17 different services, HILS aims to support older and vulnerable people to remain happy, healthy and independent at home for as long as possible.

In addition to meals-on-wheels, HILS provides a variety of services to help keep its members as independent as possible, for as long as possible. These include free specialist in-home exercise provision; free nutrition and dietetics support; nutrition training for care home staff; dementia fun clubs; advocacy; keysafe installations; and a range of add-on support services delivered alongside meals.