In 1980, the senior living industry was just beginning and the food service industry had been around for thousands of years.

However, as Sunrise celebrates its 30th anniversary, it is interesting to examine the changes that have occurred in food service over the past 30 years. I believe the most significant changes are related to the supply chain and the controls in place to ensure products in our supply chain are fresh. Thanks to these changes, seniors are getting better nutrition than ever in the dishes served in dining rooms at communities like ours.

Let's take an imaginary walk down the produce isle of your grocery store. What are some changes that have taken place? It's December and I can get fresh raspberries! Fresh arugula, asparagus, Brussels sprouts on their stalks, and in a week or two there will be fresh cherries. Delivering these types of produce to grocery stores during the month of December used to be an impossible. Now, produce suppliers have responded to the demands of the market place. They have developed systems for cooling fresh produce "in the field." The chilling of products and holding them at temperatures that keep items fresh allows farmers to extend the seasons of their crops, thus making it possible for their crops to be sold in areas further away from their fields than ever before. Finally, this new technology allows us to have these fresh items in our dining rooms.

In 1980, vegetables came out of cans in the winter. These vegetables were less nutritious, had much higher sodium levels, and generally didn't taste very good. According to AARP, nutrition guidelines announced by the government earlier this year reported that older adults need to cut their consumption of salt sharply. People over the age of 51 should not consume more than 1,500 milligrams of salt each day and also need plenty of vitamin B12, the news source reports. While cutting the salt, older adults should increase their intake of fruits and veggies, the guidelines say. These foods should make up half the food on your plate during meals.

Today we can get almost any vegetable or fruit fresh every day. As a result, seniors can enjoy the type of diet they need - one packed with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that will keep them happy, active and healthy.