The Basque food, health and social, and technology sectors are joining forces to develop foods that improve the health and well-being of older people
- The SENIFOOD project is carrying out research on nutrients, active compounds and ingredients to facilitate quality ageing
- Led by AUSOLAN, with the participation of EROSKI, VASCOLAC, DomusVi, TECNALIA and the BASQUE FOOD CLUSTER, it has the support of the Basque Government's Hazitek 2025 programme.
Leading companies and actors in the food, health and social, and technology sectors in the Basque Country are working together on the launch of the SENIFOOD project, the aim of which is to carry out research into nutrients, active compounds and ingredients with a proven effect on cognitive and mental health, with a view to creating foods adapted to the needs of older people.
The aim is to promote healthy and quality ageing by developing products such as new milk drinks, V Range products and functional dishes, with safe, tasty, easy-to-eat food solutions, especially adapted to people with swallowing difficulties or specific nutritional needs.
- SENIFOOD is a collaborative project led by the AUSOLAN Group, which specialises in mass catering and ready-made meals, with the participation of companies such as EROSKI, a leader in food distribution,
- VASCOLAC, which is dedicated to producing dairy products,
- and DomusVi, which focuses on managing care homes for older people and care for dependent persons, and collaborates with two members of the Basque Science, Technology and Innovation Network (RVCTI): the centre for applied research and technological development.
Study of nutrients and optimum combinations
Among its objectives, the project will include the study of nutrients and optimum combinations to improve cognitive health, the analysis of their behaviour in different food matrices and the impact of the digestive process on the active compounds.
At the same time, it will look at designing new formulations adapted to mental and physical well-being, integrating a multidisciplinary strategy that will combine research, product development, healthy lifestyle habits and nutritional education, while incorporating a gender perspective in dietary patterns.
Expected results include advances in knowledge on ageing and the prevention of cognitive decline, the validation of new functional foods and the development of personalised diets that contribute to improving the quality of life of older people in residential settings.
About the Ausolan Group
Ausolan is a 100% state-owned business group, a leader in the mass catering sector, which is part of the MONDRAGON Corporation. It has more than fifty-five years experience of preparing and distributing meals to companies, schools, hospitals, and care homes among others, as well as offering professional services in the field of cleaning and event organisation.
It has approximately 11,000 employees, who serve more than 260,000 menus daily, has more than 2,300 customers, and in 2023 had a turnover of €250 million.
About DomusVi Spain
DomusVi has more than 30 years of experience in the service of people and their families, and is the leading company in the health and social sector in Spain and a reliable actor when it comes to tackling the enormous demographic challenge of longevity in Spain.
It provides more than 24,000 places in 209 residential, day care and disability care centres, in addition to home care services (home help and telecare) and home health care: state-of-the-art spaces, services and treatments to make the lives of users more comfortable and active and to facilitate communication with their families, with nearly 28,000 professionals who have the best career plans and training programmes at their disposal.
About EROSKI
EROSKI is the leading co-operative distribution chain in Spain and one of the main retail companies in Spain, with an extensive network of 1,502 establishments and a team of 27,625 employees. The co-operative is committed to a model of responsible, sustainable consumption, and promotes initiatives that contribute to improving the health, well-being and quality of life of consumers.
Its strategy focuses on innovation, energy efficiency and reducing its environmental impact, while promoting local products, circular models and practices that foster sustainability throughout the food value chain.
About Vascolac
Vascolac is a family company founded in 1975 in Zamudio (Bizkaia), dedicated to producing dairy products from local raw materials, with a firm commitment to quality and tradition.
It offers a catalogue that includes fresh and cured cheeses (including Idiazabal and Eusko Label), kefirs, yoghurts, fermented drinks and traditional desserts. In recent years it has reinforced its commitment to innovation and sustainability, and developed new solutions together with technology centres to recover whey and reduce waste, while modernising its range and opening up to new markets without abandoning its handcrafted/home made character.