Softmeal Canteen Softmeal Demo & Tasting Workshop

Imagine a day when your favourite dishes are no longer easy to enjoy. In Hong Kong, over 60% of older adults experience swallowing difficulties, putting them at greater risk of malnutrition and diminishing their quality of life. This interactive workshop will explore the importance of swallowing health and the evolving culture of care food in Japan and Hong Kong. Led by The Project Futurus team, you will be introduced to 'Softmeal'—a visually appealing and delicious alternative to traditional pureed food. Learn how to transform pureed meals into appetizing Softmeal dishes through three simple steps, and experience a tasting session that demonstrates how Softmeal can still bring joy and dignity to dining. The workshop will be conducted in Cantonese. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Project Futurus is a Hong Kong-based social enterprise that has been dedicated to promoting positive aging through education advocacy, community services, and impact program design since its establishment in 2018. The organization breaks stereotypes about aging through cross-sector co-creation, focusing on three key social issues: enhancing elder wellbeing through community participation, providing dignified dining solutions for individuals with swallowing difficulties, and promoting awareness of aging and social inclusion. Its flagship projects include 'Captain Softmeal,' a platform advocating dignified dining for elders with swallowing difficulties; 'Sensory Restaurant on Wheels™,' an immersive dim sum experience designed for elders with dementia; and 'Good Times on Wheels™,' an inclusive initiative serving people with physical and mental disabilities. Recently, The Project Futurus has partnered with local catering groups and restaurants to launch the 'Inclusive Dining Program,' developing easy-to-chew and swallow dishes so that family members with different physical conditions can share warm moments of dining together. The Project Futurus is a social enterprise that promotes positive aging through education, advocacy, community service, and impact program design. The Project Futurus strives to change the narrative of old age and drive deeper social impact in the community through collaboration and co-creation. Established in 2018, The Project Futurus focuses on solving three social problems - To enhance elders’ wellbeing through meaningful community engagements, to provide dignified dining solutions for those with swallowing difficulties, and to raise awareness on ageing and promote social inclusion. Their flagship programs include: “Captain Softmeal” – a platform that advocates dignity dining for elderly with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia); “Sensory Restaurant on WheelsTM” – an immersive dim sum experience for elders with dementia to experience the joy of “Yum cha”; “Good Times on WheelsTM” a diversity and inclusion initiative for people with physical and mental disabilities. They have recently also started their Inclusive Dining restaurant program collaborating with local restaurants to create meals that are chewing and swallowing friendly so that family can now all dine-in together at the restaurant.