It was unpopular with the public, but the Southern District Health Board will be hoping few notice any change when a multinational company takes over its kitchens on Monday.
The controversial trucking of meals on wheels from Auckland will not start immediately, as the Compass Group will take time to put that in place.
Changes to how meals were prepared and delivered would be phased in over a few months.
Yesterday, the Service and Food Workers' Union said it was pleased to have secured a new 33-month deal for workers just before they transferred to Compass.
It protects their pay and conditions - but up to 20% still face redundancy when Compass restructures of the service.
Eventually, meals on wheels will be trucked frozen to the South, and patient meals will be assembled on site using frozen and fresh ingredients.
More than 100 people packed into the board's meeting room in May to try to dissuade members from signing the 15-year deal.
Many were angry at the board's determination to pursue the deal.
A petition with 7224 signatures was handed over.
SFWU organiser Anna Huffstutler said Compass would be unable to change workers' pay and conditions for the 33-month term.
While it did not protect workers from job losses, it would ensure the process was fair.
''Our members are really happy, because they know that they've got the security of that collective agreement.
''They're still going to have to go through the consultation and there potentially is going to be job losses at the end of it.''
Dunedin Hospital produce supplier Kaan's Catering Supplies still did not know whether it would keep its supply agreement, managing director Lindsay Kaan said yesterday.
He expected to find out soon if a joint bid with another firm for a national contract with Compass had been a success.
Meanwhile, he would continue to supply the hospital kitchen.
