When Shawn Stanchfield became the executive chef for Vintage Senior Living, he envisioned taking residents back to a simpler time when farm fresh was more than a tagline on a label. Even with the fact that many of the 24 retirement communities in California and Washington are located in the suburbs, Stanchfield has created the “Farm Fresh” food service program that offers a menu consisting mainly of the freshest items of the season from the closest farms available.
Providing communities with a variety of farm fresh products is made possible through an arrangement with local vendors throughout California and Washington. Stanchfield pre-orders the products expected to be harvested from local farms. For example, he will ask to put aside 50 cases of peaches from the Mahoney Farm in Temecula in advance for residents to enjoy the fruit at the peak of the summer season. By implementing “Farm Fresh” food service program, Vintage Senior Living strengthens regional economies, supports family farms, provides delicious, “fresh-from-the-field” foods for their residents, preserves the local landscape, and can help foster a sense of community.
promotioned by Tiffany Haslacker
01/02/2013
