WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) – As we get older, socialization and eating healthy take on a higher priority. One program called Cafe 60 is helping the older population do both of those things. Especially for those in the northcentral Wisconsin area.

Vino Latte is a restaurant many in the Wausau area know. What they might not know though is that they worked throughout 2024 to get this partnership with the ADRC for the Cafe 60 program up and running.

The affordable dining program is catered to those over 60 years old for just a $6 minimum contribution. The main goals are socializing in a public place and eating food that’s not only healthy, but makes you feel good.

“Meaningful conversations and outings mean so much because oftentimes we’re not working and we’re not as involved in life in the way we used to be,” ADRC of Central Wisconsin Nutrition Program Director Ronda James said.

James says isolation and dementia are connected when it comes to the older population. She also says people people who use this program have told her they’ve made friends through it and meet regularly.

That’s why having a program like this helps in more ways than it might seem at first glance.

These projects and partnerships are right up James’ alley. When Vino Latte reached out to her, she was already working toward the exact same goal.

“I was just in the beginning of looking for partners in the community to reach out to, to have this cafe 60 senior dining option available at restaurants,” James said.

Vino Latte’s owner Loreen Glaman has a long history working with the seniors during her time as a special agent with the Wisconsin DOJ, making this project even more important to her.

“In my last several years of work, I focus on elder financial exploitation. It really kind of became a thing for me,” Glaman said. “I continue to be passionate about it and this was a way I could bring my business into something I was very passionate about.”

Cafe 60 has been up and running for around four months, but it’s not being used as much as they hoped.

“It is underutilized and so it prompted me to put a little note on Facebook to tell people that we’re Cafe 60 location and hopefully that’s going to get more people aware of when the program and two. They can come here, give us their coupon and they get a meal,” Glaman said.

James and Glaman say they hope to see more people using the Cafe 60 location.

Vino Latte might not be the only Cafe 60 location in the Wausau area. James also says she’s working on adding another to the Wausau area this year.

Click here for more information about the Cafe 60 program.

Copyright 2025 WSAW. All rights reserved.