Healthy food on seniors’ menu
ALMOST 600 events will be held across the state to mark Seniors Week, which was launched yesterday with a mini food expo at the Multicultural Council of Tasmania Hub in Moonah.
The 8 Taste Tables expo included Polish and Indonesian food served by cooks in traditional dress.
Seniors Week runs from October 15-21. With this year’s event focusing on healthy eating initiatives, dietician and author Ngaire Hobbins outlined optimal diets for older people at the launch.
The popular activities program, the eighth organised by Council of the Ageing Tasmania, has attracted a wide variety of events to cater for most tastes, interests and physical capabilities.
This year’s theme is Food, Glorious Food as part of COTA Tasmania’s Year of Food, which has involved promoting healthy eating for older Tasmanians.
Jacquie Petrusma, Minister for Disability Services and Community Development, said the seniors’ week launch on International Day of Older Persons kick-started a statewide program of events aiming to promote healthy ageing while providing opportunities to celebrate older people and facilitating community participation and connections.
Ms Petrusma said this year’s theme of Food, Glorious Food was appropriate given Tasmania’s reputation for having some of the finest produce, best variety and most delicious food in the nation.
The State Government funds COTA Tasmania to help implement initiatives under the Active Ageing Plan.
“This year’s theme fits in well with one of the key priorities of the plan – to provide information and programs about affordable, healthy eating,” Ms Petrusma said.
The free guide to seniors’ week events is available at post offices, libraries, council offices, community houses, health centres, neighbourhood houses, Service Tasmania shops as well as online at cotatas.org.au.