Come Break Bread at a Group Dining Site Near You

Eating with friends (or strangers who are not yet friends) is good for your health. And more than 60 senior centers, community centers and senior residences in the six-county region served by AgeWays offer opportunities most days. Plus, at a (suggested) donation of $2.50-$4, the meals are a bargain. Group dining is open to adults 60 and older and there are no income requirements.

The Costick Activities Center in Farmington Hills, for example, is offering a new monthly continental breakfast with an educational lecture to get more people in the door so they can see what else is going on at the center and perhaps stay for lunch, says Teresa Bryant, the Costick’s nutrition services coordinator.

The center’s monthly Dine and Discover program – lunch and a lecture – really boosts numbers. It brings in an average of 120 people who are willing to pay between $8 and $12, Bryant says.

“That’s one way we’ve tried to get more people in the building,” she says. “It’s a different group from those who come to our normal congregate lunch. On those days, we’re still offering our regular meals.” There is a suggested donation of $3.50 for lunch at the Costick.

Bringing meals closer to diners

Macomb County has 21 group dining sites, and the Office of Senior Services is exploring other locations, says Nicole Urban, MPH, program manager at Macomb County’s Office of Senior Services. Her office is trying to locate a lunch program in the community center in Mount Clemens, partnering with Dial-a-Ride to provide transportation to seniors to and from the center.

Based on survey responses from nutrition coordinators and senior diners, Macomb is considering changing the name of group or congregate dining to ‘Dining Senior Style’ in an effort to destigmatize the program so it is not seen as a service for low-income seniors, says Urban.

“‘Congregate dining’ sounds bureaucratic,” Urban says.

Giving diners more choice

Group meals are offered at three senior centers, a recreation center, and two adult day programs in St. Clair County.

In an effort to change up the program, the Council on Aging in St. Clair County (COA) has been offering restaurant vouchers, which are popular when it’s a bit warmer outside, says Jyme Hager, who oversees the nutrition program. The vouchers cost $4 (but have a value of $9.50) and will get a diner a full meal at one participating area restaurant, which is locally owned. The COA reimburses the business for an agreed-upon amount.

“For a senior it’s a great deal,” Hager says. “Even a half salad is a huge salad.” She is working to expand the vouchers to a second restaurant.

Incentivizing group dining

Angela Patten, program manager of nutrition services at AgeWays, says other ideas include offering free meal vouchers or meal tickets to share with friends, expanding the restaurant voucher program, providing more food variety, and promoting the group dining program with better branding.

“Having the ability to go to a senior center creates independent, keeps participants active, and reduces mental illness related to isolation,” she says. And it’s cheaper; where are you going to get a full meal for 3 to 4 dollars?”

To find a community dining program near you, click here.