CLEARFIELD – SM@ART Dining is a new program of the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging offered in partnership with local restaurants. SM@ART stands for Sharing Meals at Area Restaurants Together. In a nutshell, the SM@ART Dining program takes the senior center congregate meal program into the community, offering it at local restaurants where people want to dine, for a contribution instead of a fee.
The traditional congregate meal model is offered at seven Centers for Active Living in Clearfield County. Through that model, nutritionally appropriate meals are served Monday thru Friday at most locations. The meals are served at noon and are based on the same menu. There is no weekend service, nor is their choice for breakfast or evening meals.
Across the nation, for more than 2 decades, there has been a steady decline in the number of people participating in senior congregate meals programs. Yet, Area Agencies on Aging are federally mandated to reach and serve people who meet the eligibility criteria.
Many people over the age of 60 who are eligible to use the nutrition service don’t participate because they still work full-time, or they live in a community where there is no senior center. Other mature adults do not think of themselves as “old” and do not want to go to senior center for a noon meal. Admittedly, the neighborhood center concept and style of meal does not appeal to everyone.
You may have noticed people over 60 gathering at their favorite local restaurants to socialize on a regular basis. You might see a small group of men having breakfast together to discuss sports, politics, the weather and other topics. Likewise, ladies will meet for a leisurely lunch to talk and then they’ll linger through the afternoon to play bridge or pinochle. Everyone is familiar with the practice many clubs and organized groups have of holding their monthly meetings at restaurants over dinner. Clearly, the restaurant venue is where people want to be.
Staff at the Clearfield Area Agency on Aging realized it was time to offer another way for people over 60 to enjoy nutritious meals in the company of friends. It seemed obvious that many
people would enjoy eating at restaurants in addition to centers, so the idea of taking the congregate meal program into restaurants was born. The idea was pitched to several area restaurants, who all found the idea stimulating.
Over the summer, a great deal of time was spent with the restaurants developing menu combinations. New, SM@ART menus were designed based on the foods that each restaurant is known for. The menus feature full meal combinations including an entrée, side dishes, beverage, and, in some cases, dessert. The AAA Nutritionist has analyzed each combination to be certain it meets the required standards of the congregate meal program.
A contract was developed for each restaurant to establish rules, roles and rates for the planned service. Under the terms of the contract, the AAA pays the restaurant for each SM@ART meal eaten. The senior diner covers the tip for his server and is also expected to contribute as much as he can toward the full cost of the meal.
People interested in joining the SM@ART Dining program must attend an information session conducted by the nutritionist of the AAA. At the info session, potential diners will learn how to set up a SM@ART Meal “Credit Card” and how the program works to their advantage. Once they have been issued a SM@ART Card, diners are equipped to go to a participating restaurant and eat.
It is a 3-way win. Consumers will have more choice as to where, when, and what they eat; more eligible people can be served by the AAA through the restaurant partners; and local restaurants should see an increase in business.
The Arrowhead Restaurant on Rt 322 is the first restaurant to have SM@ART Dining up and running. Ethan’s Café is scheduled to launch very soon. Plans to expand to other restaurants and into other towns are already in progress.
The next two public information sessions will be held Nov. 8 and Nov. 10 at 2:00 p.m. at the Area Agency on Aging Conference Room at 103 N Front St., Clearfield. Special presentations can be scheduled for groups, clubs and organizations who wish to learn about the program.
For more information on the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging, Inc., please visit www.ccaaa.net. Programs and services of the Agency are funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging, Inc., Mature Resources Foundation, local and consumer contributions.