News Briefs for January 2009

David Martin Named Senior Director

GAITHERSBURG, Md.—David Martin has been promoted to senior director of culinary and retail support for Sodexo.

He had been national executive chef for healthcare. In his new role, Martin will oversee 12 area support managers, work with the Food Brand Management group and consult with the Brand Management and Strategy team. During his 26 years with Sodexo, Martin has worked as an area support manager in the Northeast region, worked as a foodservice director in several hospitals and participated in several national projects such as the Rave Review Culinary Competitions, Procurement Council and Cutting Edge Promotions. Martin holds a degree from Johnson & Wales University. He has also been a member of FoodService Director’s MenuDirections advisory board since its inception five years ago.

Phillips Joins Yale Dining Team
NEW HAVEN, Conn.—Regina Phillips has been named director of residential dining at Yale University in New Haven, Conn.

In her new role, Phillips will manage the 12 residential college dining operations, Hall of Graduate Studies and Commons Dining. She was most recently director of dining services at the University of North Texas in Denton. She has also worked in foodservice at Michigan State University and Southern Methodist University. She was recognized as one of FoodService Director’s FSD of the Month in 2005.

Soda Sales Banned in Colorado Schools
DENVER—Soda can no longer be sold in elementary and secondary schools in Colorado, following approval of a new regulation by the state’s Board of Education. The ban applies to both vending machines and cafeterias and includes diet soda. The ban goes into effect July 1, according to the Rocky Mountain News. If a district has a contract with distributor that runs past the July 1 mark, the ban will go into effect at the conclusion of the contract.

The soda ban is an amendment to a bill passed by the state’s legislature last spring that eliminated selling all but healthy beverages. The bill didn’t specify which beverages to allow, leaving the board of education with the decision. Now, schools can sell water, low-fat milk, low-fat flavored milk, milk substitutes approved by the USDA and juice. High school students can also purchase low-calorie sport drinks. The bill and amendment are intended to reduce childhood obesity.

Toledo Hospital Moves to Continental Breakfast for Patients
TOLEDO, Ohio—The 643-bed Toledo (Ohio) Hospital will no longer offer traditional hot breakfast items and will instead offer continental items. The move is expected to save more than $100,000 in food and labor costs, said Mike Wilkins, vice president of professional and support services, and Pat Howard, dietary director.

Traditional items such as scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and pancakes will be removed from the menu, beginning with breakfast on Sunday. These items will be replaced with “hotel-style” continental items, such as oatmeal, cereal, fruit, bagels, yogurt and muffins.

“We really started looking at each hospital department to see where we could make changes to cut expenses with the least direct impact on patients and patient care,” Wilkins said. “We saw that not everybody was ordering hot meals at breakfast and many of the things that people were ordering are still going to be available on the continental breakfast menu.”

Howard and Wilkins add that the changes will still enable the department to serve nutritious meals, without eliminating patient choice.

The foodservice department, which also provides meals to nearby Toledo Children’s Hospital, serves an average of 450 breakfasts each day.

The hospital will continue to offer traditional hot breakfast items in the cafeteria.

Next Generation Becomes Canteen Franchisee
CANTON, Mass.—Next Generation Vending and Food Service is now a Canteen Vending Services franchisee. As a franchisee, Next Generation will acquire and divest specific territories with Canteen Vending Services and selected Canteen franchisees in the Northeast.

With these acquisitions, Next Generation will double its customer base and revenue. The company’s footprint will be heavily focused in key markets in the Northeast. Next Generation will continue to operate out of its Canton, Mass. Headquarters.