Levy, Trail Blazers Add "Nutrient-Rich, Minimally Processed" Food Concept to Concessions Lineup

The NBA's Portland Trail Blazers and its concessions operator Levy Restaurants are rolling out a new healthy food concept featuring nutrient-rich, minimally processed menu items at the team's Moda Center home court on March 18th. Called Plum Tasty, it will offer a variety of grab-and-go options meeting specific nutritional guidelines and will also feature specialty gluten-free and dairy-free items.

Moda’s Health Coach Chrissy Cralen, RD, worked with Levy to establish guidelines for the Plum Tasty menu. Each item has minimally processed whole food ingredients rich in nutrients, less than 35% of its calories from fat—with a focus on healthy fats—less than 600 mg of sodium and limited refined carbohydrates.

“As a health care company, we are intently aware of the importance on healthy living, which begins with a balanced diet,” says Dr. William Johnson, president of healthcare provider Moda Health Plan, which holds current naming rights to the arena. “Our partnership with the Trail Blazers is much more than our name on the side of the arena. We truly want to use this platform to help people achieve their health and wellness goals.”

TheModa Center had received a food and beverage makeover just prior to the Trail Blazers 2013-14 NBA regular season, adding popular local restaurants Bunk Sandwiches, Fire on the Mountain, Killer Burger and Sizzle Pie. The opening of Plum Tasty is the latest dining upgrade brought on by Levy Restaurants, the food and beverage partner hired by the Trail Blazers last July.

“During our process of reshaping the food and beverage offerings inside the Moda Center, our goal was to deliver a wide range of food categories, including a healthy food option,” says Levy Director of Operations Michael O’Donnell. “Being able to work with Moda’s dietitian on the menu items made this a seamless and enjoyable process.”

Over the past month, Levy also rolled out Salt & Straw Ice Cream and Stumptown Coffee inside Moda Center, as well as Dr. Jack’s Restaurant on the southwest corner of the nearby Rose Quarter commons.