80% reduction in food waste | 100% visibility into resident dietary needs | 30% Decrease in Food Costs 

At a Glance

Gold Coast is truly a delightful place to spend your days. Surrounded by breathtaking rainforests, this region has a sunny, subtropical climate throughout the year. Located in a cozy neighborhood just a short distance from the stunning coastline of the Gold Coast, this 50-bedded aged care home is known for its commitment to quality care. It provides a comfortable and welcoming environment for its residents. Over the years, it has earned a name for itself in aged care, thanks to their high standards of service and resident satisfaction.

To understand how Centrim Life has transformed their dining management and helped reduce food wastage, we spoke with key personnel at the facility, including Bronte Davies – Facility Manager, Willow Hayes – Nutritionist and Dietary Consultant, and Xavier Thompson, Catering Manager. They shared their experience tackling catering challenges and the impact of implementing Centrim Life’s solutions.

Struggling with Dining Management: The Downside of Traditional Systems

The Challenges of Manual Processes

The facility had long relied on traditional, paper-based systems to manage dining orders, which presented several challenges. Menus had to be printed and distributed manually, with caregivers going from room to room to collect meal preferences. Any dietary restrictions or customizations were jotted down on paper, creating a high risk of errors. Residents’ dietary recommendations were stored in separate folders, making it difficult for kitchen staff to access critical information in real time.

There was no efficient system to track food consumption patterns, leading to excessive food wastage. When the facility noticed increasing financial losses due to discarded meals and inefficient meal planning, they knew it was time for a change.

“We were throwing away so much food, and we had no idea why”, remarks Bronte Davies. “Orders were getting mixed up, kitchen staff had to redo meals, and we were spending more than necessary. It was frustrating because we wanted to provide great meals, but the system just wasn’t working.”

Consequences of Food Waste and Miscommunication

Without a proper meal tracking system, the kitchen often prepared meals that didn’t align with residents’ latest dietary needs. If a resident’s dietary restriction changed, and the kitchen wasn’t informed in time, meals had to be discarded and remade, leading to wasted ingredients and extra expenses.

Temporary health issues also played a role—if a resident wasn’t feeling well and needed a lighter meal, but the kitchen wasn’t notified, their usual meal would be prepared and likely go to waste. Similarly, if kitchen staff stocked up on ingredients for a meal that received fewer orders than expected, the excess ingredients often expired before they could be used.

The aged care home needed a better way to track orders, communicate dietary needs, and reduce food waste. However, switching to a new system felt daunting, as staff were used to traditional processes and worried about the learning curve of new technology.

“We needed a solution to reduce food wastage,” confides Willow Hayes. “But we were worried about how hard it would be to implement. Things have been the same around here for years. Our staff were comfortable using paper-based systems. Would they be okay with a digital solution? We had no idea!”

Hesitations & Concerns About Change

Since the aged care home had been using paper-based systems for years, switching to an automated system felt like a massive leap. They weren’t sure if one software could effectively solve all dining challenges—especially the ongoing issue of food waste. The leadership team had a long list of questions:

• How does dining software track and reduce food waste in aged care facilities?
• What specific features in dining software help minimize food wastage?
• Can dining software integrate with existing kitchen management systems to reduce waste?
• How effective are self-ordering systems in reducing food waste in aged care?
• How does real-time feedback from residents impact food waste reduction?
• What role does automated meal planning play in reducing food waste?
• How does the software handle dietary restrictions and allergies to minimize waste?
• Can the software provide insights on the most commonly wasted food items?
• How does the software ensure compliance with food safety standards while reducing waste?
• What role does real-time inventory tracking play in reducing food waste?

Beyond functionality, they were also concerned about training and ongoing support. A tech-based solution sounded great in theory, but without clear guidance, they worried it might just become another complicated system to manage.

“We’d discussed options with various aged care software providers”, says Xavier Thompson. But nothing really fit our needs. Either they were too complicated, or they didn’t solve the right problems. We weren’t sure if Centrim Life would be any different, but we knew we couldn’t keep going the way we were.”

A Smarter Solution to Manage Aged Care Dining

The facility discovered Centrim Life while searching for a solution to improve their dining operations. What stood out most was how the software could centralize everything—resident dietary information, meal preferences, allergen details, nutrition plans, and order tracking—all in one place.

Centrim Life also offered features like inventory management, portion control, menu optimization, and demand forecasting, all of which would help reduce food waste. With automated menu planning and an online ordering system, the facility could ensure that only the right amount of food was prepared, cutting down waste significantly.

Perhaps the biggest relief was how smoothly Centrim Life fit into their existing systems. The software was mobile-friendly, making it easy for staff to use, and training was straightforward. Any updates to resident dietary needs were instantly available, preventing meal mix-ups and unnecessary waste. Most importantly, Centrim Life’s customer support was responsive, helping the care home transition smoothly.

“We needed a solution that actually worked for us—not just another piece of software to figure out”, says Bronte Davies. “Centrim Life felt different because it wasn’t just about tech; it was about solving real issues. That’s what made us give it a go.”

Incredible Results

The aged care home was impressed with the immediate results. The dining management system became a hub for kitchen staff, caregivers, residents, and even family members.

With precise resident orders available in advance, kitchen teams could plan and prepare meals efficiently. This significantly reduced food waste. Since residents could choose their meals, refusal rates dropped, and mealtimes became more enjoyable.

The shift from printed recipes to a digital platform simplified communication. Kitchen staff could instantly message caregivers through the app, clarifying orders and confirming dietary needs. If new guidelines were introduced, updates were instantly accessible, preventing unnecessary food waste.

Centrim Life’s real-time inventory tracking ensured better stock control, minimising over-ordering and spoilage. Reports provided insights into commonly wasted food items, helping the facility make smarter purchasing decisions.

The facility also noted a big difference in resident well-being. With meals tailored to their preferences and dietary needs, residents ate better, leading to improved nutrition. Meal mix-ups were no longer a concern, and compliance with food safety standards was seamless.

Most importantly, the facility was impressed with Centrim Life’s ongoing support. Whenever they had questions, they received quick responses and practical solutions.

“Food waste used to be a constant battle,” affirms Xavier Thompson. “Now, with Centrim Life, we have a clear system in place. Our residents are happier, and our kitchens run more smoothly than ever.”

Conclusion

The aged care home witnessed how the right dining management software could empower catering tasks, simplify inventory management, prepare food in adequate quantities, and control food waste. What started as hesitation turned into a significant advantage. With stress-free meal planning, fewer food complaints, and better compliance with dietary standards, adopting Centrim Life proved to be the right choice.

“If you’re an aged care facility struggling with food waste and meal planning, don’t wait,” recommends Willow Hayes. “Centrim Life made a huge difference for us, and we’d recommend it to anyone.”