Dave Gage, Food Service Manager, works at the kitchen in Lanesboro.
Sandy Alfonso, Nutrition Services Supervisor, takes calls from drivers, clients, and case managers each day to keep Meals on Wheels rolling
As Elder Services celebrates its 30th Anniversary, we introduce you to Nutrition Services Supervisor Sandy Alfonso and Food Service Manager David Gage, each of whom has a major role in assuring that the Meals on Wheels Program runs smoothly.
David Gage, Food Service Manager for ten years with Elder Services, graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. He likes applying the personal touch and creativity of his culinary training to the large volume production environment, with the added reward of knowing that he and the staff provide hot, delicious meals to elders.
“Meatloaf for 1000” is just one of the recipes prepared by Gage and his dedicated crew in the Elder Services kitchen in Lanesboro. The ingredients include 175 pounds of ground beef, 35 pounds of diced onions and celery, steak sauce, herbs and seasonings, 30 pounds of breadcrumbs, oatmeal and dozens of eggs. It takes three days to prepare.
Gage begins his day in the Elder Services kitchen at 5:30 a.m. with preparation beginning the moment he walks in the door. Head Chef Steven Shallies, staff and volunteers work together to prepare the 1,000 hot meals per day delivered to elders throughout Berkshire County. The staff prepares the largest number of meals cooked in one batch in Berkshire County. They accomplish the task five days per week, preparing over 245,000 meals this past year. Gage and the staff of well-organized individuals prepare food under state and federal guidelines while providing special dietary considerations for low sodium and diabetic diets.
With the responsibility of managing the high volume Food Service program, one would not be surprised that Gage’s “off hours” interest would be the serenity of fishing. However, Gage, who owns a farm, can be found in the spring with family and friends tapping 10,000 maple trees and producing 2,500 gallons of maple syrup. Large production projects are a way of life for David Gage.
As nearly 1,000 meals are being prepared in the Elder Services kitchen, a small army of Meals on Wheels drivers and meal sites throughout Berkshire County are being coordinated by Nutrition Services Supervisor Sandy Alfonso and her committed and faithful nutrition staff.
Sandy Alfonso, who has worked in nutrition services for 25 years, joined the Elder Services staff nearly 19 years ago. She previously worked in the nutrition program for the Office for the Aging in Hudson, New York. Alfonso says she’s never bored and thrives on learning new things, especially in areas that support elders. She coordinates delivery of 750 noontime meals five days per week. Another 250 meals are provided to meal sites throughout Berkshire County. Alfonso supervises a staff of 53 that includes drivers, meal site directors and an office staff of two.
If the driver has a concern about a client receiving meals, the driver calls Alfonso or nutrition office staff Ellen Clarmore or Rita Burns. On one occasion a driver observed that a client didn’t seem “quite herself” and called the nutrition office and 911 for assistance. He later learned the client was having a diabetic reaction. “This is the kind of team work that makes me so proud to be associated with Meals on Wheels” Alfonso says.
Customer satisfaction surveys are conducted weekly to help maintain the quality of the meals. Alfonso can tell you which elders served in Berkshire County like carrots and which don’t. Most of the clients are very appreciative of Meals on Wheels, and, Alfonso reports, “Meatloaf for 1,000” is one of their favorites.