Food Cost Control: Food Costs Other than Resident Meals

There are many factors that affect food costs besides meals for residents. Nourishments, supplements, nursing requisitions for passing meds, and food for activities are all examples of food residents receive that is not part of their meals.

If the resident cannot get enough nutrition through the menu, it is necessary to determine why and address that problem. For example, if the resident is not eating because he is depressed, it is not likely he is going to take a supplement either. If the resident is not getting enough assistance at meal time, it is not likely she will receive assistance for a between meal nourishment.

Fortified foods at meals work well in some situations. Perhaps the resident eats, but cannot handle large volumes of food. Fortified foods are less expensive than commercial supplements.

If a resident truly needs a supplement, it is important that the resident consumes it. If not, it is the same as putting money down the garbage disposal.

Water is an acceptable fluid for passing most meds. Drink mix is good for meds with unacceptable flavors. Applesauce is good for meds that have to be crushed. Avoid more expensive items such as juice, jelly, and pudding. And preportioned items cost more than bulk.

If all of the food residents receive come out of the same food budget, look carefully at how it is used. Any money that is used for nourishments and med pass cannot be used to upgrade the menu.

In addition, many facilities offer food to employees and guests through employee and guest meals, coffee and condiments in the breakroom, snacks for meetings, picnics, holiday meals, special meals, holiday events, etc.

If these items are also is part of the food budget, then the budget must be adequate to allow for this. It is not fair to the residents to reduce the quality of the menu so that staff can get free food.

If revenue is made from employee or guest meals, then it is important that the budget reflects that the revenue offsets the cost of these meals.