Food Service Week, celebrated this year from February 5-9, is a special time at Morning Pointe Senior Living, where we honor and appreciate the incredible dedication of our food service professionals. These talented individuals play an essential role in the well-being and happiness of our residents. After all, everyone has to eat and likes to look forward to a good meal.
Food service in senior living, however, goes beyond merely preparing meals; it involves a deep understanding of nutritional needs, dietary restrictions, and personal preferences. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and in between), Morning Pointe’s food service associates work to create balanced, delicious meals that cater to each resident. They are also instrumental in fostering a sense of community, as meal times become cherished moments of social interaction and joy.
We interviewed Shannon Bolden, food service director at Morning Pointe of Powell, Tennessee, as well as one of her dearest residents, Cleo Wayman, about the importance of the food services role and the blessings of the relationships that the staff develop with residents. Shannon has been with Morning Pointe for nine years and has worked in food service for 35 years.
“It’s my absolute pleasure to serve the residents here at Morning Pointe,” Shannon said. “I really appreciate their comments and telling me what they like and what they don’t. I don’t want to just serve them a meal. I want them to have a great meal.”
Shannon added that in most food service jobs, the cooks don’t have a chance to interact with the guests. In senior living, however, the highlight of her day comes from getting out in the dining room and socializing with the residents.
We asked Shannon what the most-loved meal is at Morning Pointe of Powell. She picked out meatloaf, mashed potatoes, peas and corn and muffin peanut butter pie.
“I tell everyone what good food we have here,” Cleo shared. “Shannon is always so eager to fulfil our wishes with the food that we like. She is an excellent director, an excellent friend and an excellent provider of our food. We all love her.”
Thank you to Shannon and to each of Morning Pointe Senior Living’s dedicated, skilled, and friendly food service staff. You not only make meals something to look forward to you – you bring flavor to the whole community.
