Supporting Everyday Life, One Meal at a Time

Unrestricted gifts give Strawberry Fields the flexibility to respond to evolving needs and invest in areas that are meaningful to our programs and consumers. One recent example is strengthening mealtime in our Intellectual Disability residential program. 

In our homes, meals are about more than just nutrition. They’re about routine, choice, and community. We serve family-style meals that reflect our “everyday life” philosophy, where residents help shape what’s on the table and experience meals in a way that feels natural and connected. 

But delivering that kind of mealtime experience isn’t always simple. Many residents have complex medical needs that require specialized diets. At the same time, many of our younger direct support professionals have limited experience with cooking, grocery shopping, or planning meals that balance nutrition with preference. 

To address this, Strawberry Fields has partnered with a registered dietitian who is working one-on-one with each of our residential programs. Together, they are: 

• Creating four-week rotating menus that reflect resident preferences and are easy for staff to follow 

• Adapting meals to meet individual health needs while maintaining the spirit of shared, family-style dining 

• Developing simple, appealing recipes that staff can prepare with confidence 

• Providing weekly grocery lists to streamline shopping 
  

The dietitian also meets with residents, staff, and families to ensure the menus reflect both dietary needs and personal tastes. 

Two homes have already implemented the new system. The remaining eight programs will adopt this approach over the course of the year.