Community Corner

Local Hospital Unveils 'Happier, Healthier' Cafeteria

Prince William Hospital's cafeteria has reopened following complete renovation of space, menu.

cafeteria has undergone a complete facelift and is now a more "inviting, happy place" with healthier, tastier food options.

"I cannot wait to eat lunch here," said Kate Edwards, an employee at the hospital who attended the grand reopening of the cafeteria Wednesday. "I love how inviting and happy the new space is."

The cafeteria, which was closed for 11 months for a complete renovation, also offers a new menu items. Visitors to the cafeteria can now order a meal, made fresh right in front of them at the new saute station. 

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There's also a larger salad bar, and more fresh off-the-shelf options such as wrapped sandwiches and ready-to-eat packaged salads.

Ed Adams, system director for food and nutrition at Morrison Healthcare Food Services—which according to its website, "specializes in providing food, nutrition and dining services to hospitals and health systems"—was at the new cafeteria's unveiling Wednesday and said the goal was to upgrade the entire system.

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Adams, who worked in fine dining before health care, said one of the goals of the renovation was to bring the food to a healthier level. Adams said 70 perecent of ingredients are locally grown and the company uses cage free eggs and chicken.

The cafeteria, which mostly serves employees and visitors to the hospital, also offers a healthier alternative to some long-standing favorites.

"A lot of people come for our fried chicken on Wednesdays," Adams said. "But now they can get the chicken baked."

Vegetables used in the salad bar and saute station, among other items, are cut fresh in-house. "These vegetables are not frozen or from a can," Adams said.

Hospital employee Terri Desing said she used to bring her lunch everyday, but now with more, healthier options available at the hospital, she plans on eating at the cafeteria more and may even bring her husband one day.

Adams and others at the hospital say they hope the new cafeteria, which now more closely resembeles an inviting cafe, will become a community gathering place for area programs and groups. 

"Anyone can come to the cafeteria," Adams said.

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