Cater Care, one of Australia’s leading contract caterers is excited to announce its investment in texture modified food producer and online retailer Care Food Co.
Founded in 2019 by FMCG veteran David McAuley and food innovator Saxon Joye, Care Food Co manufactures an extensive range of protein, vegetable and fruit texture modified foods for people with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). The products are distinguished by their freshness, delicious taste, attractive visual appeal, nutrient retention, long shelf life and their use of 100% natural ingredients.
The combination of these characteristics are a function of Care Food Co’s innovative preparation and pasteurisation method, which is believed to be unique in Australia and international markets. Competitor offerings are typically made with preservatives and thickening agents and use heat pasteurisation which results in loss of flavour, colour, consistency and nutrients.
According to Speech Pathologists Australia, more than 1 million Australians require some form of texture modified diet. This can be due to medical conditions including dementia, stroke, cystic fibrosis, Parkinson’s disease; or medical procedures such as gastric banding. Globally, the number of people living with dysphagia is some 590 million according to The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI), the global industry body for the condition.
Care Food Co CEO, David McAuley said, “Prior to Care Food Co, people living at home with swallowing difficulties had no choice but to either eat unappetising texture modified food made with preservatives and thickeners, or to purchase substitutes such as pureed baby food, yoghurt, and thickeners from the supermarket.”
“Care Food Co’s product range alleviates the stress of this problem by providing a choice of visually appealing, delicious and nutritious products that people with dysphagia never had before. We therefore have a significant domestic and international opportunity given the numbers suffering with this condition and are excited by Cater Care backing our ability to realise this.”
Cater Care CEO, Colin Redman commented, “Cater Care expects to deliver a step change to Care Food Co’s growth by immediately integrating it into our ISO accredited systems, processes and governance frameworks and supporting it across all our departments.”
“In addition, with home care being a core market of Care Food Co, we expect to be able to support future product and menu development by leveraging our extensive experience providing quality, freshly prepared food to more than 100 aged care sites around Australia. We look forward to welcoming David, Saxon and the whole Care Food Co team into our ecosystem.”
Prime Financial Group and Ash St. acted as financial and legal advisors respectively to Care Food Co.
– Ends –
For further information contact:
Duncan Matthews
Group Marketing and Merchandising Manager
duncan.matthews@catercare.com.au
Ph: 07 3851 8400
About Cater Care
Cater Care is one of Australia’s leading contract catering and facilities service providers to aged care homes, schools, universities, childcare centres, and remote mining villages. It is also one of Australia’s leading food and beverage retail operators in airports and hospitals. Cater Care is 100% Australian owned by its founders and management and proudly employs more than 2,500 people at more than 240 sites nationwide across metropolitan, regional and remote Australia.
