Food in our centres is prepared onsite using fresh, seasonal produce by an experienced chef and catering team. The 5-week cycle menu is developed in consultation with the dietitian, residents and their families. We pride ourselves in providing choice at mealtime to cater for different dietary and cultural requirements, personal likes, and dislikes. We also offer customised vegetarian, vegan, Halal, diabetic, gluten-free, and texture-modified foods.
We have 24-hour dining across our centres and have meal choice at point of service. This offers more flexibility to residents by allowing them to advise us what they would like to eat during mealtime rather than advising us a day in advance - because what you feel like today can differ dramatically from the meal you choose the day before.
Residents have a lot of opportunity to provide feedback to ensure that they are fully satisfied with their meals. All meal types are quality tested prior to serving and resident feedback is sought and noted for future meals. Similarly, residents can give their feedback during monthly residential meetings as well as during Food Focus meetings held quarterly where residents and/or their families can contribute towards the seasonal menus.
Staff go through quarterly training to ensure a fulfilling dining experience for residents - from staff demeanour to ambience, presentation of food and conversation during mealtimes.
Not only do we pride ourselves on our great food and quality catering service, most of our centres also run cooking programs with residents to ensure they continue to enjoy the experience of cooking and of course, share their favourite recipes.
Our Catering and Hospitality Manager, Lainie, is a chef by trade and qualified Food Safety Auditor. In addition to managing catering and hospitality for The Salvation Army Aged Care, Lainie has created a suite of recipes that meet the Food First concept of supplementation which replaces commercial supplementation to manage weight loss across our Centres. The Food First High Energy High Protein suite is utilised in our centres, and on the Dementia Dining experience.
The Salvation Army Aged Care acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet and work and pay our respect to Elders past, present and future.
We value and include people of all cultures, languages, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and intersex status. We are committed to providing programs that are fully inclusive.
