Food Trends | Menu Planning
3 Trends To Prioritize in Senior Dining
2/5/2025
New trends prioritize flavor, variety, and engagement
David Jackson enjoyed a 40-plus-year career as an award-winning chef at several restaurants throughout the country. Yet, as he entered the second phase of his career, how he viewed food dramatically shifted. When his doctor strongly advised him to adopt a healthier diet, he decided to pass on what he learned in the PBS show "Food Over 50" over two seasons.1
"Can doctors' orders to moderate salt, fats and refined carbs share our plates with mouthwatering, gourmet recipes?" he posed during the intro of each cooking episode catering to older Gen Xers and Baby Boomers. He answered that question with tempting dishes like Blueberry Slow Oats, Spanish Tortillas, Beef Fajita Tacos, and Brown Rice Pilaf with shredded carrots, zucchini, and walnuts.
It's the age-old dilemma faced by senior dining foodservice operators looking to spice up what can sometimes be bland, and often mushy, dishes. They want to follow all the required dietary guidelines, yet they also want the diners to enjoy the experience.
According to the Senior Dining Association, menus are one of the key trends shaping senior dining in 2025. "The culinary experience in senior living is undergoing a transformation," stated the organization's findings during an attendee survey at the annual Senior Dining Association's Synergy Conference. "Menus are not just lists of food options but gateways to nutrition, wellness, and community engagement. Attendees are looking for novel menu concepts that cater to diverse needs and preferences, driving a deeper connection between dining and quality of life." Turns out that 46% of those attendees saw menus as a priority.2
There are so many ways operators can make the culinary experience more enticing for senior diners. Experts say that mixing it up during the week is key to keeping the menus fresh.
"Expect to see more integration of global cuisines, comfort foods, and fresh, local ingredients," Dawn Bradley, Vice President of Culinary at Benchmark Senior Living, said in an interview with Senior Housing News. "Providing a variety of dining experiences throughout the week can resemble anything from high-end restaurants offering gourmet chef-driven menus to casual restaurant experiences that offer the timeless classics of comfort food. There will be a stronger emphasis on visually appealing, flavorful meals that reflect residents' tastes and preferences."3
Here are a few easy-to-execute examples from Simplot's portfolio:
Food stations
Most seniors do not want to be treated as helpless, so the more they're given to do the better. For interactivity, develop food stations so that they can choose the options that are personalized and appeal to them. Of course, those ingredients should be monitored to ensure that they're picking the right offerings. What's great is that food stations cut down on labor and with these recommendations, much of the prep work will be already done.
Salad Bar. A well-stocked salad bar should include fresh greens, protein options, grains, vegetables, and of course, varied toppings and dressing choices. RoastWorks® Baby Bakers™ Roasted Potatoes, Simple Goodness™ Parisian Carrots, and Good Grains™ Whole Grain Orzo, Garbanzo & Kale Blend are certain to shine on this station.
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Breakfast of Champions. This buffet is colorful, comprehensive, and certain to be a crowd-pleaser. What's great is that typically seasonal items may be added year-round, including RoastWorks® Flame Roasted Fuji Apples, Harvest Fresh® Everything Bagel Flavored Avocado Spread, Simple Goodness™ Blueberries, and Simple Goodness™ Peaches. Maple City® Waffle Flavored Potatoes, sweet potatoes, and sourdough bread are also in the mix.
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Fried Chicken Dinner. Fried chicken is typically on the naughty list, so there are options: Operators may swap for nuggets or plant-based versions. Accompanying the main protein are Simplot Farmhouse Originals™ Redskin Garlic Mashed Potatoes, RoastWorks® RTE Flame-Roasted Simply Sweet® Cut Corn, and Harvest Fresh® Dill Pickle-Flavored Avocado Spread.
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Go global
More international menu selections bring excitement to the senior dining experience—especially when they know that Wednesdays are reserved for "Italian night," for example. Also, allow the guests to offer ideas on where they'd like to "travel" for their next meal.
Greek Gyro Bowls. The Greek-inspired power bowls start with a variety of grain choices as a base, then add flavorful gyro meat with traditional toppers to complete the meal. Think Simplot Harvest Fresh® Cucumber Tzatziki-Flavored Avocado Spread, Simple Goodness™ Riced Cauliflower, and crumbled feta to set them apart from the typical fare.
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Mexican Chicken Asada Tacos. Certain to be a favorite, here's a delicious Mexican-style meal featuring Chicken Asada taco filling, with crispy or soft corn tortilla shells and an array of toppings and sides like RoastWorks® Flame-Roasted Corn & Jalapeño Blend, RoastWorks® RTE Flame-Roasted Corn and Black Bean Fiesta Blend, and Harvest Fresh® Avocado Pulp.
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Pasta and Meatballs. What's not to like about a generous serving of pasta noodles? Especially when paired with a zesty marinara sauce, tender meatballs, and other choice toppings like Simplot's RoastWorks® Flame-Roasted Peppers & Onions Blend, Simple Goodness™ Riced Cauliflower, and Simple Goodness™ RTE Caramelized-Style Onions.
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Sweet Sensations
End each meal on a high note.
Chia Pudding. This vegan dessert features a simple ingredient list and is an excellent choice for breakfast, a mid-day snack, or a healthy dessert option. Make it feel seasonal with Simplot Simple Goodness™ Mango Cubes or Raspberry Crumbles.
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Fruity Good Time. Give your guests as many options as possible at this dessert station featuring all sorts of delightful treats. You can always swap the ice cream or whipped cream for non-dairy alternatives. Toppings include Simplot Simple Goodness™ Peaches, Strawberries, Blueberries, and RoastWorks® RTE Flame-Roasted Fuji Apples.
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Mixed Fruit with Lemon-Basil Dressing. You cannot go wrong with this refreshing dessert that's light, bright, and bursting with all the flavors of summer. It's another year-round favorite that operators can rotate throughout the week.
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Other top trends in senior dining expected to take off in 2025, according to the Senior Dining Association, include: 50% of attendees surveyed at the annual Senior Dining Association's Synergy Conference desired more education and training because they "are seeking innovative education and training opportunities that can be directly applied to enhance service quality in senior living environments." Also, tabletop innovations (39%) to enhance the dining experience; nutritional innovations (39%) that align with health and wellness; robotics in the dining space (39%); and more sustainable practices (37%).2
1 Food over 50
2 Senior Dining Association, “2025 Outlook: Key Trends Shaping Senior Dining.”
3 Senior Housing News, “New Benchmark Culinary Leader: Senior Living Dining is ‘Rapidly Evolving’ Ahead of 2025.”
