How good is this? Fresh food market brings its produce to aged care home
Aged care provider Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & VIC) has established a special partnership with Adelaide-based family operated gourmet grocer Tony & Mark's.
Staff from Tony & Mark’s brought its produce to the operator's 70-bed two-storey home Carmelite Residential Care in Myrtle Bank, Adelaide.
Residents were able to see, smell, touch and taste the fruit and vegetables featured in the market display and were handed fresh juices to try as well as a few different fine foods to test.
The event brought back fond memories for many residents who used to visit markets regularly to buy their groceries.
Tony and Mark's staff gave a presentation on the importance of fresh food and set up a guessing game which invited residents to learn about how much food they consume each week.
At Carmelite alone, residents consume 600 kilos of fresh produce a week.
Tony and Mark's deliver annually to Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & VIC):
· 16 tonnes of potatoes
· 35,000 punnets of strawberries
· 7,000 bunches of asparagus
· 200,000 eggs
· 20,000 apples
Resident Caroline Barker said she was amazed at the quality of the fruit and vegetables.
“Everything from avocados to onions to tomatoes, they’re amazing. I’ve never seen an onion that big!”
Group Manager Procurement and Hospitality Services Daniel Desteno said the Tony & Mark’s partnership has benefits beyond the supply of fresh fruits and vegetables as well.
“It’s about working in partnership to meet the specific needs of our residents,” he said.