Food Diversity and Aging Well in a Multicultural City: A Case Study of Japanese Canadian (Nikkei) Seniors and Community Congregate Dining.

The Community Congregate Dining (CCD) program for Nikkei seniors was studied across six sites using multiple data collection methods.

• Data were collected through observations of six CCD sites in the Greater Toronto Area
• Qualitative interviews were conducted with 45 CCD program participants, 1 family member, and 15 program providers and volunteers
• Policy and administrative documents about the CCD programs were also analyzed
• Participants were Japanese Canadian (Nikkei) seniors aged 65+

Thematic analysis identified social benefits as a key outcome of participation in the CCD program.

• The CCD was found to foster a sense of belonging among Nikkei seniors
• Social benefits were identified as one of three major thematic categories emerging from the qualitative data
• The program was described as supporting healthy aging among participants

Educational benefits were identified as a distinct thematic category contributing to the CCD program's value for participants.

• Educational benefits emerged as one of three major themes in the thematic analysis
• These benefits were experienced alongside social benefits and cultural food elements
• The educational dimension was part of what created the overall program experience for Nikkei seniors

Japanese meals and entertainment were central to creating a unique atmosphere of 'Japanese-ness' at the CCD sites.

• The importance of Japanese meals and entertainment was identified as one of three major themes
• This cultural atmosphere was described as creating a unique sense of 'Japanese-ness'
• The cultural food dimension was distinct enough from other benefits to constitute its own thematic category

The success of the CCD program depends on addressing several operational and structural challenges.

• Managing diverse linguistic needs was identified as a key challenge for program success
• Maintaining opportunities for meaningful interaction was identified as necessary for program effectiveness
• Ensuring transportation access was identified as a critical factor for program success
• These challenges reflect the multicultural and multilingual composition of the Nikkei senior population served

The findings offer broader lessons for designing culturally responsive social services for diverse Canadian older adults.

• The study highlights implications for inclusive program design beyond the Japanese Canadian community
• The case study context is the Greater Toronto Area, a multicultural city
• The authors frame findings as relevant to 'increasingly diverse Canadian older adults'
• Culturally responsive service design is presented as a key takeaway for social service providers