New Option for Seniors

The meal assembly fad has taken off nationwide, and stores are starting to pop up in the Ark-La-Tex. Two stores, The Dinner Station and Cook with Korlis, have opened in Shreveport in the past year. The concept appeals not only to working mothers and working singles, but to seniors and caregivers as a quick and easy way to meet nutritional needs. "Alot of seniors have cooked for 30 to 40 years, and they are tired of cooking," said owner Korlis Crook. "But they still want good food." Crook says she's mainly seeing mothers as her most frequent customers, but she's seeing more and more seniors too. Senior Vassar Mills thinks the meal assembly concept is a good idea. "People who are single like I am, can come and get a small amount for yourself," said Vassar. Meals are priced according to portion and ingredients, and clients can come fix the meals themselves, or order them. It's grown into a 200-million dollar business nationwide, and more than 1100 meal assembly businesses are expected to open this year.