HEALTHCARE FOODSERVICE WORKERS WEEK
Healthcare Foodservice Workers Week each year during the first full week in October honors the professionals who help healthcare employees and patients stay well-nourished and healthy. Their work is an essential part of the entire healthcare system. Their skills help fight illness and are an integral part of a patient’s recovery.
Healthcare foodservice workers play a significant role in the day-to-day operation of a healthcare facility. They cater meetings, provide take-out orders for staff and visitors, and of course, prepare healthy meals for patients of all backgrounds and health needs. They even supply tube feeding products. Their work behind the scenes is even more amazing. They manage the extensive inventory of food for hundreds and thousands of meals.
The healthcare foodservice team also maintains the kitchens, cafeterias, and dining halls at very high standards of cleanliness. They partner with schools to develop and improve recipes and collaborate with area farmers to use fresh, local produce.
Local and regional healthcare facilities are charged with challenging obstacles. As they consolidate, they become larger healthcare systems. Foodservice operators who were once responsible for managing one facility now face operating multiple units. So, they become increasingly skilled at logistics and supply management.
HOW TO OBSERVE #HealthcareFoodserviceWorkersWeek
Visit the website for the Association for Healthcare Foodservice.
If you are in a healthcare facility this week, make sure you give special thanks to the foodservice workers. Use #HealthcareFoodserviceWorkersWeek to give a shout out and to share on social media.
HEALTHCARE FOODSERVICE WORKERS WEEK HISTORY
In 1985, an early group that is now part of the Association of Healthcare Foodservice initiated the observance. Then in 1989, Congress officially recognized the celebration.