How Peconic Landing and NEXDINE Hospitality Attracted Baby Boomers with Elevated Engagement and Dining as a Strategic Advantage


As Baby Boomers increasingly enter senior living communities, expectations for dining have shifted dramatically. Meals are no longer about sustenance alone, they must deliver experience, wellness, and social connection. Peconic Landing, New York’s only equity-based Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), responded by partnering with NEXDINE Hospitality to elevate its dining program. Together, they transformed dining into a strategic lifestyle differentiator, directly contributing to the community being recognized as the #1 Senior Living Community for Wellness in North America by the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) in 2024.

Community Profile
Peconic Landing is located on a 144 acre campus on the Long Island Sound in Greenport, NY, the community is a Life Plan Community, offering a unique equity-based ownership model and a full continuum of care, in fact it’s the only equity-based CCRC in New York.

Amenities

  • Five water-view dining rooms
  • Bistro and pub-inspired social hub
  • Arts and performance venues
  • Fitness and wellness centers
  • Lifecare continuum

With its blend of comfort, culture, and community, Peconic Landing positions itself as a resort-style Life Plan Community for today’s discerning seniors.

NEXDINE’s Challenge


Baby Boomers demand

  • Restaurant-quality meals with variety and creativity
  • Fresh, health-driven menus aligned with wellness trends
  • Social dining experiences that encourage connection

Traditional senior living dining models, often institutional, predictable, and convenience-driven, do not meet these expectations. Peconic Landing leadership recognized dining must become a defining lifestyle feature to maintain growth, satisfaction, and retention.

The Approach


NEXDINE’s Dining Transformation

1. Live Forward Wellness & Dining Integration

  • Live Forward Program (a NEXDINE Hospitality signature initiative) incorporated into Peconic Landing
  • Combines culinary innovation, wellness education, and lifestyle integration
  • Integrated the Blue Zone Dining Lifestyle Program, inspired by global longevity “hotspots”
  • 100% fresh, nutrient-rich ingredients
  • Menus designed to support heart health, mobility, cognitive function, and longevity
  • Educational components to help residents understand the “why” behind their meals

2. Multiple Dining Venues & Social Spaces

  •  The Water’s Edge: Pub-inspired hub with full bar, indoor/outdoor seating, fire-pit lounges, fostering socialization and wellness dining
  • Fine Dining Rooms: Formal meals with scenic water views
  • Casual Bistro: Made-to-order soups, salads sandwiches
  • Chef Stations & Buffets: Fresh, nightly variety
  • This model allowed residents to choose between formal gatherings, casual meetups, and everyday meals that felt fresh and engaging.

3. Resident-Driven Culinary Engagement

  • Establishment of a Culinary Committee, giving members direct input on menu design and venue development
  • Reinforced Baby Boomer desire for personalization and choice
  • Built community pride and ownership in dining experiences

Impact, Results, and Recognition

Peconic Landing has been recognized by the Institute of Community & Wellness Association (ICAA) as the #1 senior living community for wellness in North America.

Recognition based on comprehensive integration of:

  • Live Forward Program
  • Blue Zone Dining Lifestyle Program
  • TASTEFUL Culinary Initiative

 

Key aspects of Peconic Landing’s recognition:

Wellness Focus:
The award highlights Peconic Landing’s commitment to an integrated approach to well-being, encompassing nutrition, movement, and overall health education.

LIVE FORWARD Wellness Program:
The Live Forward Program, a signature initiative of NEXDINE Hospitality, was recently incorporated at Peconic Landing to enhance the overall resident experience. This program is designed to support the unique needs of each resident through a thoughtful blend of culinary innovation and wellness education.

A key component of Live Forward is the Blue Zone Dining Lifestyle Program, which brings the proven benefits of Blue Zone principles directly to the dining table. Featuring menus inspired by the world’s longest-living communities, the program emphasizes 100% fresh, nutrient-rich ingredients to promote longevity, vitality, and overall well-being.

For senior residents, Blue Zone dining programs deliver meaningful value by aligning daily meals with lifestyle
choices that support healthy aging. These menus are not just nutritious, but also culturally engaging and flavorful, helping residents enjoy food that both nourishes the body and inspires connection. Studies show that Blue Zone-inspired approaches can help improve heart health, reduce inflammation, and support mobility and cognitive function. In a community setting, this translates into residents living more energetic, independent, and fulfilling lives, while fostering stronger social bonds through shared meals.

Health & Wellness Outcomes


Blue Zone Impact
Studies show Blue Zone principles lead to:

  • 30% reduction in heart disease risk
  • Lower rates of obesity and type-2 diabetes
  • Improved cognitive performance in older adults
  • Stronger sense of purpose and social connection, which correlates with up to 7 years longer life expectancy Resident Well-Being: Early internal surveys suggest:
  • Higher meal satisfaction scores (up by estimated 20–25%)
  • Increased participation in group dining and social activities
  • Positive perception of Peconic Landing as a progressive, wellness-driven community

Why It Matters for Baby Boomer Engagement

Baby Boomer Priorities:
Quality, variety, and wellness-driven dining and integrated activities are key decision factors when choosing a senior living community.

Community Differentiation:
Peconic Landing’s hospitality-driven, member-inclusive model positions it as forward-thinking and uniquely attractive to Baby Boomers.

Strategic Integration:
Dining is elevated beyond meals, serving as a driver of social connection, wellness, and brand identity, strengthening both attraction and retention.

Market & Business Impact

Occupancy & Census Growth
Enhanced dining positioned Peconic Landing as a market leader, appealing to Baby Boomers seeking wellness-
driven lifestyles

Competitive Differentiation
Dining transformed into a core marketing driver, not just a support service

Retention
Increased resident satisfaction contributed to stronger long-term commitment

Key Lessons Learned

Application for Senior Living Communities

Dining = Differentiation
A hospitality-driven dining model can be a primary factor in attracting Baby Boomers

Wellness Sells
Integrating dining with health education resonates deeply with today’s seniors

Resident Inclusion Matters
Giving members a voice fosters ownership and satisfaction

Social Dining = Better Living
Dining spaces designed for connection improve quality of life and market appeal

Conclusion

Peconic Landing’s partnership with NEXDINE Hospitality demonstrates how elevated, wellness-oriented dining can become a strategic advantage in senior living. By combining Blue Zone principles, member inclusion, and hospitality-level experiences, the community not only improved resident well-being but also secured national recognition.

For communities seeking to attract and retain today’s Baby Boomers, the message is clear: investing in dining is investing in your brand, your census, and your residents’ lives.

 

 

References:
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Martinchek M, Beiting KJ, Walker J, Graupner J, Huisingh-Scheetz M, Thompson K, Gleason LJ,
** Levine S. Weight Loss in COVID-19-Positive Nursing Home Residents. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2021 Feb;22(2):257-258. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2020.11.031. Epub 2020 Nov 28. PMID: 33352194; PMCID: PMC7699303
*** SeniorResource.com
****Peconic Landing Director of Dining