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CCRC DiningTrend Roundup

Mike Buzalka, Executive Features Editor

August 1, 2005

1 Min Read
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Mike Buzalka

  • Greater meal plan flexibility: One-meal-a-day and similar rigid formulas falling prey to seniors' increasing demands for flexibility.

  • Focus on wellness: More than just having an exercise room available, it encompasses culinary, cultural, spiritual and social components to produce a "holistic" environment.

  • Health savvy: Residents are much more knowledgeable about health and nutrition matters than before and demand offerings that meet their diets.

  • Expanded hours: The rigid daypart mentality where meals are served at specific times in the communal dining room is giving way to flexible options with more and more various points of service.

  • Menu variety: Older seniors still expect the comfort foods they grew up with, but younger residents want more eclectic choices that reflect the broader commercial restaurant culture.

  • Less formality: Coat-and-tie dinners are still common but residents also want the option of dining less formally.

  • More service points: Bistros, coffee shops, grab-and-go stands are increasingly augmenting the traditional central congregate dining room.

About the Author

Mike Buzalka

Executive Features Editor, Food Management

Mike Buzalka is executive features editor for Food Management and contributing editor to Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News. On Food Management, Mike has lead responsibility for compiling the annual Top 50 Contract Management Companies as well as the K-12, College, Hospital and Senior Dining Power Players listings. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English Literature from John Carroll University. Before joining Food Management in 1998, he served as for eight years as assistant editor and then editor of Foodservice Distributor magazine. Mike’s personal interests range from local sports such as the Cleveland Indians and Browns to classic and modern literature, history and politics.

Mike Buzalka’s areas of expertise include operations, innovation and technology topics in onsite foodservice industry markets like K-12 Schools, Higher Education, Healthcare and Business & Industry.

Mike Buzalka’s experience:

Executive Features Editor, Food Management magazine (2010-present)

Contributing Editor, Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News (2016-present)

Associate Editor, Food Management magazine (1998-2010)

Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1997-1998)

Assistant Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1989-1997)

 

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