Discover a new era of food, nutrition and dining standards for healthcare and aged care organisations.
At TCF, we understand the challenges faced by healthcare and aged care organisations in providing texture modified food options that meet the specific nutritional needs of dysphagia diners without sacrificing taste, pleasure, and enjoyment.
With a deep-rooted commitment to patient-centred care, we offer homemade handcrafted (moulded) food solutions that not only cater to dietary requirements but also enhance the overall healthcare dining experience.
TCF co-owners Darren Benfell, an Executive Chef and Dr Lisa Sossen, a Practicing Dietitian both have extensive backgrounds in the healthcare industry. They recognise the importance of creating meals that look and taste good but also positively impact individuals’ health and wellbeing.
Our broader team appreciates the pride and motivation experienced by healthcare workers, including chefs, in making a real difference through their culinary creations.
We understand the commercial realities faced by healthcare organisations, from time pressures to budget constraints, staffing issues and more. Yet, we believe in adding that extra special touch to each meal, elevating the dining experience for dysphagia diners. With our technical expertise and investment in fit-for-purpose equipment, we ensure consistently safe and quality texture modified meals every time.
Variety and personalisation are key aspects of our approach. We recognise the importance of avoiding meal fatigue and menu repetition for diners on texture modified diets. Through creativity and innovation, we offer a thousand possible combinations of choices, making each meal a delightful experience.
Above all, we prioritise nutrition without compromising on taste, flavour, or visual appeal. Our wholesome texture modified products are crafted in moulds, ensuring easy identification on the plate and enhancing the overall presentation of the meal. Because when food looks good and tastes good, diners are more likely to enjoy their meal and meet their nutritional needs effectively.
We’re committed to meeting the evolving needs of dysphagia diners while addressing the challenges of the changing food environment. Alongside providing texture modified options, we recognise the importance of accommodating various food intolerances and preferences, including gluten, dairy/lactose intolerance, FODMAP sensitivities, and the future demand for plant-based meals. Our menu boasts a diverse range of vegetarian and vegan options, ensuring everyone can enjoy delicious and nutritious meals tailored to their dietary requirements.
Additionally, we understand the ongoing issue of food waste – from preparation to uneaten meals in healthcare and aged care settings. Pre-production kitchen waste is significantly high for organisations when making their own textures in-house and diners who express concerns about overwhelming portion sizes with reduced appetites or a lack of meal variety. That’s why we manage preparation waste and prioritise nutritious portion-controlled sizes and a wide array of choices, enabling diners to enjoy food when they feel like it without generating unnecessary waste.
With our patient-centred approach, technical expertise, and commitment to sustainability, TCF is not just a provider of texture modified food solutions but a partner in transforming the dining experience for dysphagia diners.
We support and advise healthcare organisations moving from in-house texture modification production to meeting the Better Aged Care Program’s Standard 6 – Food and Nutrition ensuring older people experience an improved quality of life with meals and dining experiences.
This standard aims to strengthen the requirements around food, nutrition and dining experiences.
Embrace the new era of food and wellbeing standards in healthcare and aged care organisations with us.
Together, we can create a more inclusive, satisfying and sustainable dining environment for all.
For more information or advice on meeting Stronger Standards, Better Aged Care Program
email our team at info@texturedconceptfoods.com.au
We support healthcare organisations to meet the new food, nutrition and dining standards for those they care for and need it most.
Discover valuable resources to deepen your understanding of changing standards via the following links:
We mould our range of proteins, vegetables and vegetarian options (Level 4, Level 5 & Level 6)
We also mould our range of fruits, desserts and mid-meal snacks.
We create the ultimate nutrition and convenience with our Pre-Plated Meals (Level 4) of proteins and vegetables. Just add your favourite sauce or gravy (Level 3).
We offer a range of protein and vegetable cubes perfect for use within hospitals as baby food or where pureed cubes are required. View in our protein and vegetable links.