From Scratch or Pre-Packaged Meals for Seniors?
With the dramatic rise in pre-packaged, pre-cooked convenience foods, does anyone really cook from scratch anymore? They certainly do, and consumers in the U.S. are becoming far more savvy about what they look for in fresh ingredients, sustainable practices, and food sourcing.
Baby Boomers are just as food-conscious as any other generation, and in some ways, even more so. Recent studies show that the Boomer demographic is more likely to cook heart-healthy delicious meals from scratch on certain days of the week, and is overall more concerned with food waste and budgeting. These are valuable insights for senior living communities and caregivers that will be responsible for feeding residents primarily from this generation.Older adults have high expectations when it comes to the meals they enjoy. Cooking scratch-made meals is a proven way to increase resident satisfaction, but it has many other benefits as well. Here, we’ll take a look at what it really means to cook from scratch for your senior living residents, and how scratch-made meals stack up to those that are pre-prepared.
What are Scratch-Made Menus?
Senior living dining options have come a long way over the years. Most assisted living and independent living communities follow current dining trends such as local food sourcing, seasonal dishes, and sustainability practices. Currently, scratch-made menus are in major demand. Scratch cooking within a senior living community involves preparing a fresh menu that typically includes some or all of the following:
- Healthy meals that are prepared on-site
- Ingredients that are fresh, local, and seasonal
- Menus that cycle regularly to provide variety
- Nutritious meal options driven by resident preferences and needs
- Customization and personalized food options
- Foods that are focused on nutrition and diner appeal
Scratch-made menus typically do not include foods that are pre-packaged or prepped in advance, like chopped vegetables or frozen meals. Examples of from-scratch meals might include a roast chicken breast containing locally-sourced farmer and fresh fruit and veggies from the farmer’s market, or custom-blended, on-demand smoothies.
What are Pre-Prepared Meals?
Pre-prepared meals and menus in senior living residences usually involve dishes that have been pre-cooked in some way (like frozen microwave meals) or prepped in advance (like chopped veggies). Pre-prepared menus usually contain a lot of convenience foods and are designed to shorten cooking time.
Pre-prepared meals do have a place within senior living communities, as they provide quick, on-the-go dining options for busy residents or easy meals they can warm up in their own living spaces. This can increase their autonomy and their satisfaction. However, it’s important to note that pre-prepared meals aren’t as cost-effective and typically not as nutritious as those made from scratch.
A few examples of pre-prepared meals can include pre-packaged sandwiches, TV dinners, heat-and-serve meals, or ready-made protein shakes.
A Comparison of Scratch-Made Menus vs. Pre-Prepared Meals
So, which type of menu is right for your senior living community? Ultimately, you’ll likely find that both types of meals have their place, but the benefits of scratch-made menus are indisputable. Here are some comparisons of scratch-made vs. pre-prepared to give you a little food for thought:
Quality and Nutrition
How does a scratch-made meal stack up to pre-prepared in quality and nutrition?
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Quality and Nutrition Comparison |
|
|
Scratch-Made |
Pre-Prepared |
|
Ability to limit/control sodium |
Usually high in sodium |
|
Lower in preservatives |
Packed with preservatives |
|
More adaptable to dietary needs |
One-size-fits-all |
|
Fresher taste |
Canned or bland taste |
Customization and Flexibility
Personalized menu choices are extremely important to older adults in senior living situations. So, which is the better option?
|
Customization and Flexibility Comparison |
|
|
Scratch-Made |
Pre-Prepared |
|
Ability to adjust ingredients within recipes |
No flexibility in changing ingredients |
|
Adjust menus and recipes to suit preferences |
Provide many prepped items to suit different preferences |
|
Gives residents the ability to choose their portion sizes |
Limits portion sizes, which may be suitable for some diets |
|
Allows residents to mix and match entrees with sides and desserts |
Does not allow for customization of meals |
Cost and Efficiency
There are plenty of ways to improve efficiency in your senior living community, like choosing a game-changing POS platform, but the menu you serve can also impact your spending. Let’s compare:
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Cost and Efficiency Comparison |
|
|
Scratch-Made |
Pre-Prepared |
|
Fresh, locally-sourced ingredients are often more cost-effective |
Pre-packaged meals often come at a premium price |
|
Usually takes more time to prepare |
Often saves time by using prepped ingredients |
|
Requires more time for cleaning up |
Does not need much cleanup |
|
Keeps costs to residents lower |
Higher costs may be passed on to residents |
Resident Experience and Satisfaction
Ultimately, the most successful menu in your senior living community is the one that keeps your residents happy and healthy, without breaking the bank (yours or theirs).
|
Experience and Satisfaction Comparison |
|
|
Scratch-Made |
Pre-Prepared |
|
Scratch-made meals may be heartier and more flavorful |
Pre-prepared meals may not taste as good or feel as fresh |
|
Offers more time to sit down and enjoy a social, well-prepared meal |
Saves time and provides options for solo or on-the-go dining |
|
May be more cost-efficient for diners |
May come with higher costs |
|
Personalized menu options make residents feel cared for and appreciated |
Dine-and-go options give residents autonomy and independence |
Benefits of Scratch-Made Menus in Senior Living
When it comes to the battle of scratch-made vs. pre-prepared, there isn’t always a clear-cut winner. Pre-packaged meals and on-the-go dining options can be valuable in many senior dining settings. However, when it comes down to it, from-scratch menus are typically the better choice. Why?
- Scratch-made menus usually feature healthier, more nutritious food.
- Dining options are more customizable and personalized to preferences, dietary restrictions, and medical needs.
- Using fresh, in-season, whole, local ingredients is more cost-efficient.
- Providing scratch-made menus is better-suited to sit-down dining, which can be an engaging and socially-fulfilling activity for residents.
The Role of eMenuCHOICE in Supporting Scratch-Made Menus
It’s possible you’re thinking that scratch-made menus sound great, but they also sound like a lot of work. You’re correct. That’s why choosing a senior dining software solution like eMenuCHOICE can help you institute scratch-made menus without the hassle.
With eMenuCHOICE and FreshMenus, you’ll get access to turn-key, seasonal menus with from-scratch meals that are ready to be prepared and enjoyed by your residents. Create menus that include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and soups, plus an “Always Available” lineup for easy meal planning. Healthy recipes are easy and simple, and use in-season ingredients that include weekly ordering guides for streamlined inventory and planning. Four-week menu cycles mean variety really is the spice of life, giving residents change when they want it and familiar comfort food favorites when they need them.
Plus, with eMenuCHOICE, you’ll benefit from other amazing features, like our POS system designed for senior living, so you never leave money on the table.
How to Get Started With eMenuCHOICE
Ready to transform the dining experience for your staff and your residents? eMenuCHOICE has got you covered. Getting started is as easy as starting a conversation. We’ll be happy to walk you through the benefits of providing scratch-made menus for your residents with a free demo. All you have to do is schedule the call, and we’ll take it from there.
