Are mobile carts right for us?<\/h3>\n
The pandemic forced everyone to rethink food delivery. Senior living was not immune. Dining room restrictions prevented self-service, buffet lines and communal gatherings. Serving stations, table delivery and room service became necessary.<\/p>\n
Moving forward, mobile carts are a solution\u2014a positive improvement on care that makes food personal, according to Gordon Food Service Business Solutions Specialist Rayona Baker. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou can take the food to wherever they\u2019re at, like an activities room or common room,\u201d she says. \u201cYou move food toward the guests, and they get the aroma and anticipate the choices\u2014 it\u2019s more fun and exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n
No two carts ever have to be the same. In the morning, offer drinks and snacks. At midday, it can be finger foods. In the evening, try desserts. Mix it up from day to day.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re never locked into one option, and you can even repurpose leftovers,\u201d Baker notes. \u201cMobile carts add a touch of hospitality to foodservice.\u201d<\/p>\n
What are the advantages of mobile carts?<\/h3>\n
Providing hospitality by using mobile carts is a step in the right direction to improving nutrition and hydration, says Gordon Food Service Business Solutions Specialist Maria DeNicola. <\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the pandemic, so many people were suffering from weight loss and malnutrition,\u201d she recalls. \u201cPerhaps it was the isolation. If you have a cart, you get interaction between residents and staffers. That connection makes sure they get choices and satisfaction.\u201d<\/p>\n
And as people socialize more, you want them talking about your food. The anticipation and excitement of a visit by a mobile cart filled with goodies can improve satisfaction on your survey scorecard. That\u2019s something a business can use in marketing, which can boost resident population count.<\/p>\n
Having a mobile cart between meals increases consumption and reduces waste. It also cuts down on the worry about residents who don\u2019t have big appetites in the dining room. <\/p>\n
\u201cMany communities give residents a menu and have them choose meals a week ahead of time, but how are you supposed to know what you\u2019ll be hungry for later in the week?\u201d DeNicola asks. \u201cMobile carts get food closer to the point of service so residents can decide what they will eat.\u201d<\/p>\n
If the fish that sounded great on Monday doesn\u2019t hold the same appeal on Thursday, your kitchen won\u2019t prepare a plate that goes to waste. When people take food from a mobile cart, it\u2019s more likely to be eaten.<\/p>\n
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What are some mobile cart options<\/h3>\n
Getting started with a mobile cart may seem expensive and daunting. Some carts have ovens, refrigerators, steam tubs, a sneeze guard \u2026 and it\u2019s just not in the budget to buy one for each floor, wing or unit. <\/p>\n
The advice, Baker and DeNicola agree, is to start small. It\u2019s a concept you can try in one area, perhaps with your population that\u2019s at higher risk of malnutrition or dehydration. <\/p>\n
It doesn\u2019t take a Rolls-Royce cart to get rolling. Sometimes, it\u2019s just a matter of being creative. In a pinch, a utility cart with a tablecloth will do. Or consider repurposing food tray delivery carts or or other mobile foodservice equipment. Once you have a cart, there are many possibilities:<\/p>\n
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- Beverage carts.<\/strong> Serve coffees, teas, juices, smoothies, mocktails or even cocktails.<\/li>\n
- Snack carts. <\/strong>Provide packaged crackers, fruits, energy bars or muffins.<\/li>\n
- Dessert carts.<\/strong> Offer fresh fruit, yogurt parfait cups, brownies, cookies or candy bars.<\/li>\n
- Charcuterie carts.<\/strong> Supply cheeses, meats, olives, crackers, nuts, fruits and drinks.<\/li>\n
- Theme carts. <\/strong>Have a game night or make it a movie night. Tempt them with buttered popcorn, nacho chips and cheese, soft pretzels, drinks and an invitation to mingle. <\/li>\n
- Special occasion carts.<\/strong> Decorate for a barbecue, Mexican night or a patriotic or religious holiday.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Serving and making connections<\/h3>\n
Mobile food carts help your residents connect with food as you connect with them. Going through the hallways a couple of times a day with a food- or drink-filled cart brightens the mood. <\/p>\n
To assure safety, involve the dining staff. They are trained to understand and maintain safe food temperatures and service practices. As an added plus, it connects residents to the people who prepare their food.<\/p>\n
The dining services team is better able to answer questions about food and note food preferences much better than a nurse or nursing assistant, Baker says.<\/p>\n
In the long run, DeNicola says, that makes mobile carts efficient. \u201cServers get to know what residents like and don\u2019t like. And they\u2019ll remember when they are setting up the cart that Mr. Jones prefers this instead of that, so the cart better serves its purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n
- Snack carts. <\/strong>Provide packaged crackers, fruits, energy bars or muffins.<\/li>\n