Last Updated on July 28, 2025
Dietary Focus Group
Michael Rogan, Leader
| SCHEDULE | TIME | LOCATION |
| 2nd Thursday | 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Charlestown Square 216 |
The purpose of the Dietary Focus Group is to provide an enjoyable dining experience for the residents of Charlestown with special dietary needs. These issues may include but are not limited to food allergies and/or intolerances, medication interactions and restricted diets.
The group was started four years ago as it became more evidence that an increasing number of residents had dietary issues. We have had guest speakers on several topics generated by members of the group and share resources with those with similar issues. It is the goal of the group that each resident will advocate for their own issue with the dining staff where they dine on a regular basis.
Working with Dining Services, the group has been able to enhance the awareness of dietary issues in the more mature population. We try to have representation from Dining Services Administration at each meeting, to assist the group in understanding the dynamics of the overall dining services picture.
Some of the improvements to the dining service have included:
Lactose free milk
Sorbet
Dairy free spread
Plain Steamed Vegetables
Some gravies on the side
Gluten free chicken and beef soup base
Recipe books of ingredients for the week’s menus at each dining venue
Dietary Focus table at 2023 Fruits of Our Labor
Tips for Enhancing Your Dining Experience at Charlestown Restaurants
Tips for Enhancing Your Dining Experience at Charlestown Restaurants
These tips were assembled by the Dietary Focus Group (DFG) and approved by Dining Services.
- If you have a specific dietary issue, it is advisable to talk to the chef at the restaurant you frequent most often to discuss your issue.
- You may request a smaller portion of food.
- Gluten free bread and pasta are available upon request. It’s best to request a gluten free item when you are asked for your beverage order.
- In many cases, an entrée, a salad, or a sandwich can be made without specific ingredients, for example, no onions, no raisins, etc. It’s always worth asking if this is a concern.
- Many sauces can be served on the side. If a sauce is listed with one food, it may be served with a different item.
- A dairy free spread, Smart Balance, is available but must be requested.
- If a server is not sure about what you want or need, ask to speak to the manager and/or chef, as many servers are not aware of what is available or possible.
- If you select an entree with very little protein (for example, jackfruit, which has only 1 gram of protein), you may request a protein be added to the dish.
- A fruit special may be selected as a starter, a side, and/or a dessert.
- Extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar are available as salad dressings.
- Soup may be requested as an entree, in an entrée size portion. In that case, a resident may still order two starter salads and two sides.
- Any starter salad may be ordered in place of any side or as a dessert.
- A starter salad may be upsized to be an entrée salad, to which a protein may be added.
- A resident may order an additional serving of protein if they have eaten their original serving and want/need more.
- Nutritional information for most restaurant offerings is available on the MyNutrition app on your cell phone at https://netnutrition.cbord.com/nn-prod/CCI, and printed in a binder format at each restaurant.
- If you think about doing something with your restaurant order – try it! – and please report back to DFG.
Have questions or concern? The Dietary Focus Group meets the second Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. in CTS Classroom 216 September through July. All are welcome!