Elevating senior living dining through healthy, nourishing food and hospitality that brings people together
Dining plays an important role in shaping daily life within a senior living community. Thoughtfully designed senior living dining programs support wellbeing and create meaningful moments of connection.
With that belief at the center of our work, Forefront is proud to announce a new partnership with Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community (VMRC), a respected senior living organization known for its strong culture and commitment to helping residents age well and live fully.
Founded more than 70 years ago in Harrisonburg, Virginia, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community (VMRC), has grown into one of the region’s leading and most respected continuing care retirement communities. Today, VMRC serves hundreds of residents across a full continuum of care, including independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, short-term rehabilitation, and transitional care. The community also offers a wellness center along with a wide range of arts, enrichment, and lifestyle programs designed to support active, engaged living.
“We’re ready to get started with Forefront and their award-winning approach to creating fine culinary experiences,” said Scott Richardson, Vice President of Independent Living, including dining services. “Our new partner is well positioned to leverage our unique assets, such as our farm, to deliver experiences rooted in quality, freshness, and seasonal ingredients.”
Forefront shares that enthusiasm.
“This partnership represents a natural alignment,” said Dan Bowen, CEO of Forefront. “VMRC has built a strong culture centered on community and care. We are excited to build on that foundation through healthy, nourishing food that brings people together and a hospitality experience that reflects the heart of their community.”
Dining Designed Around Community Life
Dining at VMRC offers something for every taste and every occasion. The Main Street Cafe provides a quick and casual experience. Seed & Harvest delivers upscale and creative dining, while the nearby Espresso Bar extends trendy eats and drinks to guests. The Grille features mindful meal creations, and the Harman Dining Room offers an elegant setting.
At the heart of it all is The Farm at Willow Run, a 40-acre working farm less than a mile from campus that supplies much of the produce used in VMRC’s dining program. Since acquiring the property in 2008, the community has developed a robust farm-to-table system that brings fresh vegetables, greens, herbs, and seasonal ingredients directly into campus kitchens—many harvested the same day they are served. The farm, which achieved USDA Organic certification in 2024, produces a wide variety of crops throughout the year and reflects VMRC’s long-standing commitment to freshness, sustainability, and nourishing food grown close to home.
Together, Forefront and VMRC will focus on:
- Expanding seasonal and farm-driven menus
- Enhancing hospitality across every venue
- Creating memorable culinary moments for residents and guests
- Strengthening the connection between food, wellbeing, and community
With VMRC’s commitment to excellence and Forefront’s people-first culture and expertise in culinary and support services within senior living, this partnership is rooted in shared values and a vision for better living.
We look forward to serving the residents, families, and team members of VMRC and building meaningful relationships across campus in the months ahead.
