If you work in long-term care, you’ve likely heard the statistics about the ever-increasing population of older adults (65+). Expected to grow from 58 million to 82 million in 2050, the sheer number of seniors isn’t the only thing changing in the upcoming decades. This population is also becoming more diverse, with the number of non-Hispanic white identifying people dropping to 60% from 75% by 2050.
Given these statistics, it’s clear that many senior living communities need to adjust their practices to align with potential residents’ new values and priorities. Living a healthy, more organic lifestyle is becoming more popular among seniors, meaning creating sustainable care communities for older adults is a new necessity.
The Institute for Sustainable Communities defines a sustainable community as one that “takes into account, and addresses, multiple human needs, not just one at the exclusion of all others. It is a place where people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives feel welcome and safe, where every group has a seat at the decision-making table, and where prosperity is shared.”
Sustainability in food service takes this approach and applies it to every aspect of meal planning, preparation, and consumption within senior living communities. This means focusing on environmentally friendly practices and ensuring that the food you serve meets all your residents’ diverse cultural and dietary needs.
If you’re ready to start promoting sustainability in food service, start making plans now to create a nurturing and inclusive environment that respects the planet and its residents’ varied backgrounds.
Sustainability Saves More Than the Environment
Regardless of what aspect of sustainability you’re focusing on, doing so has multiple benefits. Making your kitchen more sustainable is more than an effort to become environmentally friendly; it impacts the financial health of your long-term care community. Something as simple as uneaten leftovers or improperly storing food can have a snowball effect on your carbon footprint and your budget—after all, why waste when you can invest in sustainability and save money in the long run?
A sustainable kitchen promotes better resource management, reducing operational costs through lower waste disposal fees and more efficient use of ingredients. It also improves food quality and safety, enhancing resident satisfaction and health outcomes.
Strategies to Navigate Sustainability
The benefits of living in a sustainable long-term care community are endless. Still, many of your potential residents will value a reduced carbon footprint and increased access to a green community – two things that align with the newest senior generation’s fresh, more eco-conscious values.
However, although catering to these values and maintaining culinary sustainability can be costlier than traditional methods, making strategic adjustments can help manage expenses without compromising quality. Here are a few cost-saving ideas on how to start navigating sustainability.
Create an Edible Landscape
Creating an edible landscape in your community is easier as summer approaches. Plant fruit trees, vegetable gardens, and herb patches either to prepare for hotter weather or to get to know your residents better. You’re not only increasing the aesthetics of their surroundings but also giving them a chance to grow their own food and provide fresh ingredients to their peers.
Reduce Food Waste
Reducing food waste is a part of creating a solid foundation for sustainability in your dining program; it’s also one of the most straightforward strategies to implement. When planning meals, identify areas of improvement, ways to improve portion control, and ways to get rid of food waste more effectively (e.g., composting) to reduce the amount of food that ends up in the trash after each meal.
On top of that, take time to educate staff and residents on the importance of minimizing waste and how they can incorporate becoming more eco-friendly in their daily lives.
Resident-Led Sustainability Committees
You might be surprised to learn that residents can be your most vital asset toward creating a sustainable community, not the nutritionists, dietitians, or kitchen staff. While their expertise is a necessary part of making your food service program more sustainable, your residents are the ones who eat the food each day – so their opinion matters most. Encourage them to actively shape sustainability in their world by hosting committees or “town halls” where they can brainstorm new ideas and gather feedback from other residents. This also promotes improving relationships between residents and staff and gives residents a sense of dignity, ownership, and responsibility, reducing loneliness and isolation.
Zero Waste Cooking Challenges
Outside of fundamental changes, you can host fun events to engage residents and kitchen staff in sustainability. Plan a zero-waste cooking challenge to encourage kitchen staff to create minimal or no-waste meals, promote creativity and sustainability, and see how creative your residents can get. It gives them a chance to exercise a skill they may love but no longer can do for themselves or don’t get the opportunity to know that they live in long-term care. These challenges can involve using every part of an ingredient, repurposing leftovers into new dishes, and refining cooking processes to avoid waste.
Finding a Food Service Management Partner That Lasts as Long as Your Sustainability Plan
At Culinary Services Group, service is at the heart of senior living. However, that’s tough to do when you’re overrun with daily tasks and duties. You can’t be everywhere at once. Because of this, sustainability often takes a backseat. Let us help you find a meal plan prioritizing person-centered care and sustainability. A sales team member is ready to speak with you today; all you have to do is fill out our contact form.
