New Menu for CV Seniors–Feedback Welcome
Beginning May 1, Spectrum Community Services introduced a new Spring-Summer Menu featuring nine new entrees and several new side dishes served on weekdays at Castro Valley’s Kenneth Aitken Senior Center and Tuesdays and Thursdays at Castro Valley United Methodist Church. An annual satisfaction survey will be conducted in late May to gather feedback in order to shape future menus.
In response to previous surveys and comments from the past few years, the new menu features an increased variety of vegetarian options with at least one vegetarian meal served every week, and reduced beef and pork frequency. Each entree will be served only once in eight weeks, and the cycle repeats until the end of September when the new Fall-Winter Menu is introduced.
Some of the nine new entrees debuting in the rotation include: cod with coconut curry, chicken veggie fajitas, pesto tortellini primavera, ginger beef bowl, turkey soft tacos, Moroccan chickpeas, and apricot-glazed chicken. Fan favorites such as meatloaf, spinach lasagna, BBQ chicken quarters, pork sliders, and burgers, will remain on the menu. All recipes have been developed with the help of a registered dietician to meet federal guidelines for nutritional standards, are low in sodium, and contain at least ⅓ of seniors’ Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) including fruits and vegetables high in vitamins C and A.
Hot meals are distributed every weekday at Kenneth Aitken Senior Center on a drive-by basis to seniors 60 years old or older who register and reserve in advance. The lunches are served in reusable containers that are returned at the next meal.pick up.
Those 60+ years old can sign up at www.SpectrumCS.org to receive healthy, hot meals five days a week. While Spectrum requests a small donation for each meal, no eligible seniors are turned away for lack of funds.
Currently in Castro Valley about 25 clients pick up their lunches daily at Kenneth Aitken Senior Center and around 30 clients are served twice weekly at Castro Valley United Methodist Church. As pandemic restrictions eventually ease, Spectrum has seen a steady increase in registrations, and therefore is seeking volunteers to serve senior meals at congregate meal sites in San Leandro, Hayward, Union City, and Oakland. Benefits of volunteering include the gratification of giving back to the community and being of service to seniors. Volunteers also receive a T-shirt and a daily nutritious hot meal. For more information and to register, visit www.SpectrumCS.org or call 510-881-0300 ext. 232.
Spectrum Community Services is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the health and safety of seniors and low income residents in Alameda County by enhancing their quality of life and helping them age at home with dignity. Senior nutrition programs provide home-delivered meals in Dublin, Pleasanton, Livermore and Sunol, and congregate meals in Hayward, Castro Valley, San Leandro, Alameda, Oakland, and Union City. The Fall Prevention Program (FPP) seeks to reduce injuries among at-risk low-income seniors. Through the Energy Program, Spectrum Community Services administers the federally-funded weatherization and Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) programs.
