Retirement community saves $141K using Premier's foodservice program
Arbor Acres United Methodist Retirement Community is a full-service, accredited continuing care retirement community (CCRC). Opened in 1980 in Winston-Salem, N.C., Arbor Acres provides a full spectrum of services to meet the spiritual, intellectual, physical, psychological, recreational and social needs its residents. Some 400 residents call this unique community home. There are facilities for independent living -private homes and apartments-as well as assisted living and skilled nursing care. A special wing of the Fitzgerald Health Center is home to residents with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. www.arboracers.org
Challenge:
As a premier retirement community, Arbor Acres United Methodist Retirement Community in Winston Salem, N.C., must meet high standards. With more than 400 residents, it serves 26,768-plus meals per month.
Solution:
- Arbor Acres is a member of the Premier foodservice program and uses U.S. Foodservice to access Premier committed manufacturer agreements (CMAs) to achieve savings through off-invoice pricing as well as rebates.
- The Community uses a four-week menu cycle; it can forecast, consolidate orders and order in large quantities, which helps maximize U.S. Foodservice’s volume and payment incentives.
- Arbor Acres takes advantage of educational and savings opportunities through attendance of regional foodservice meetings and U.S. Foodservice food shows.
Result:
- After only two years with Premier, Arbor Acres reduced budgeted food costs by $2,642 a month and achieved an annual savings, plus incentives, of more than $141,000.00 – 13.46 percent of total purchases.
- The foodservice program maximized its savings potential.
- The program has grown and foodservice is purchasing higher quality products without spending more money.
- Using the money saved, Arbor Acres purchased a new computer system;
which has helped save time and money, as well as increased foodservice
efficiency.
- The system provides critical information including meal counts, item costs, items sold, resident diet tracking, number of guests, diet challenges, numbers of guests and the times they are served.
- Software provides menu history of favorite items so Arbor Acres can create desirable menus and improve resident satisfaction.
- The system will be used for a new gift shop, beauty shop and spa café in a new $26.2 million assisted living building currently under construction.
- Arbor Acres will use savings to purchase equipment for new kitchen and related facilities in its new building.
"The more products you use from the contract portfolio, the better the
opportunity for savings. Small, single product discounts really add up when
applied to thousands of products."
Jeff Hoover
Director of Dining Services
Arbor Acres United Methodist Retirement Community