“The theme of this year’s National Nutrition Month was ‘Eat Right,’ and in keeping with that theme we held a food drive and requested donations of healthy food items,” said Nancy Hunt, Clinical Nutrition Manager for Metz & Associates, Ltd. at Butler Heath System. “We specifically asked for items such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, reduced sugar cereals, canned meats, beans, baby food and other nutritious items. The response from Butler employees was overwhelming, enabling us to donate hundreds of fresh and healthy items to area food banks.”

In addition to the month-long food drive, the Metz team promoted nutrition with different HealthChecks meal options each day, and by offering an array of healthy side dishes. There were also literature displays featuring an array of nutrition information gathered by Metz dietitians, healthy food displays, and a board recognizing all of the onsite dietitians, with their degrees and some fun facts about each one.

“When we first became the dining management provider for Butler Health Systems 2 ½ years ago, one of our goals was to introduce healthy items into the daily menus,” said Joe Landolina, General Manager and Food Service Director for Metz & Associates, Ltd. at Butler. “We have made tremendous strides in accomplishing that goal and also in educating our customers on the importance of proper nutrition. I feel we are really helping the employees of Butler lead healthier lifestyles.”

Landolina said the Metz team is now introducing home meal replacement to help employees that are short on time provide a nutritious dinner to their families. Homemade items, such as family-style entrees, hearty soups and freshly baked pizzas are available each day for take out at the end of each shift. “We’re trying to make it as convenient as possible for hospital employees to order and take home a healthy dinner, and are even delivering the meals to various departments at the end of a shift” Landolini added. “We know how important it is for a family to sit down together at dinner time, and want to make it easy for our customers to be able to put a nutritious meal on the table for their families.”

Metz & Associates, Ltd., a premier food service company for the Northeast United States, provides dining and environmental management to clients such as hospitals, assisted living & long-term care facilities, school districts and independent schools, colleges and universities and corporate offices. For more information on Metz & Associates, Ltd., visit our website at www.metzltd.com or call 570.675.8100.