Healthier eating habits stick, as 45% of residents continue to eat healthier with Cura Hospitality’s BeWell Nutrition for the Active Adult at Menno Haven Retirement Communities of Chambersburg, PA.
After a successful launch at the beginning of 2023, over 250 residents at Menno Haven are currently taking part once again in BeWell Nutrition for the Active Adult, providing a summertime opportunity to keep nutrition and fitness top of mind – even when you’re in vacation mode!
Offered by Menno Haven’s dining services partner, Cura Hospitality, BeWell’s “Nutrition for the Active Adult” utilizes a loyalty rewards program that is designed to be used in retail venues of a life plan or senior living community. An easy-to-follow program, BeWell rewards residents with a complimentary BeWell healthier food item (identified by a blueberry image) who exercise in Menno Haven’s wellness center which offers a variety of activities, exercise, and wellness-focused opportunities like swimming, yoga, and even ping pong.
“We love the BeWell program, but I call it the Blueberry program. I say to my friends, ‘I’m using my blueberry card’,” laughs Menno Haven resident Margaret Greenblatt. “The program motivates us to exercise and reminds us to eat well. Menno Haven encourages us to take care of ourselves.”
After participating in one of Menno Haven’s sponsored activities, Cura managers or members of Menno Haven’s Wellness Team will punch or stamp resident loyalty rewards cards. According to Jeremy Fry, Cura Hospitality Executive Director of Culinary Services, participation has nearly doubled from when we initially offered the promotion back in January. We started off with 150 punch cards and now had to reorder 200 more.
“Until recently I’ve been playing table tennis – we play for an hour in the recreation center. It’s a Menno Haven-sponsored activity and great for socialization. I also swim in their pool. I feel great afterward. The BeWell Nutrition for the Active Adult program encourages me to swim more as I have to swim a half hour to have my card punched. Exercise gives me a sense of well-being,” says resident Michael Greenblatt.
After their card is stamped ten times for activity/exercise, residents can select from a menu of several FREE and easily identified BeWell food items including BeWell smoothies; bars and bites such as granola and breakfast bars; organic superfoods; crackers; fresh fruit, yogurts and salads.
When asked about the friends who participate, Michael replies, “We find that we talk more about the program while exercising. These are our exercise buddies, so some already know about BeWell – either way, we talk about what BeWell food items we are able to get with our cards. That seems to be the motivation and we share a lot of information about the program and the benefits.”
Mr. and Mrs. Greenblatt enjoy several complimentary BeWell food items including chicken pecan apple with feta cheese and berries, grilled chicken, salmon, and shrimp salad. “It also gets us in the About Thyme café, and encourages us to purchase more, and, of course, the eyes roam around until we find something else,” says Margaret.
“Our community is ideal for the promotion as BeWell aligns with Menno Haven’s WELL certification. To be WELL Certified means that a building, and everything in it, is created to provide comfort, drive better choices, and enhance the overall health and well-being of those living and working in it,” says Fry.
As part of the certification, Cura at Menno Haven follows the WELL nourishment standards. Scratch food is consistently prepared to optimize health and nutrition, while operating procedures and service levels enhance the overall dining experience.
Cura also makes nutritional information even more accessible through frequent culinary demonstrations where onsite dietitians team up with executive chefs and wellness teams to help promote healthier lifestyles. “For residents who are living independently, step-by-step recipe instructions with nutritional detail are created so that residents can replicate them in their homes,” adds Fry.
“It’s an opportunity and people love opportunities to take advantage of a program like BeWell. Feeling well cared for is a great feeling to have. We exercise and eat well. It’s a win-win,” adds Margaret.
Pictured: Margaret and Michael Greenblatt with their granddaughter Addie.
ABOUT MENNO HAVEN
Founded in 1964, Menno Haven is a non-profit, mission-driven organization dedicated to serving older adults. A complete Life Plan Community, that offers all levels of care including independent living, personal and memory care, rehabilitation services, and skilled living at two distinct communities in Chambersburg, PA. Menno Haven also offers home and community-based services to support as many people as possible through the journey of aging. For more information, visit www.mennohaven.org
Contact:
Grace Zarnas-Hoyer, communications and public relations
610-349-0844
ghoyer@curahospitality.com
