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Hospital cafeterias repurposed into mini grocery marts by Elior North America unit Cura Hospitality

Mobile mini marts are popping up all over repurposed hospital cafeterias operated by Cura Hospitality to help healthcare workers who can't get to the grocery store.

Mike Buzalka, Executive Features Editor

April 16, 2020

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Mobile mini marts filled with dry and perishable grocery items as well as non-food staples such as paper towels and toilet paper have been popping up at hospital cafeterias where Cura Hospitality, a unit of Elior North America, manages onsite dining. Cura operates dining services in healthcare facilities, including both hospitals and senior living communities.

The mini marts are designed to help healthcare staff working long hours and who can't get to the grocery store to stock up with some needed items to take home. 

The stores were created by repurposing cafeteria space that is now lying vacant due to restrictions imposed by policies designed to protect against the spread of coronavirus. Areas reserved for seating, which is now either discouraged or prohibited at most cafeterias, as well as spaces where self-serve food stations such as salad bars previously sat, now present ideal real estate for shelves, bins and coolers stocking retail-style items.

Here are some of the items and displays from several Cura operated hospital locations.

About the Author

Mike Buzalka

Executive Features Editor, Food Management

Mike Buzalka is executive features editor for Food Management and contributing editor to Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News. On Food Management, Mike has lead responsibility for compiling the annual Top 50 Contract Management Companies as well as the K-12, College, Hospital and Senior Dining Power Players listings. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English Literature from John Carroll University. Before joining Food Management in 1998, he served as for eight years as assistant editor and then editor of Foodservice Distributor magazine. Mike’s personal interests range from local sports such as the Cleveland Indians and Browns to classic and modern literature, history and politics.

Mike Buzalka’s areas of expertise include operations, innovation and technology topics in onsite foodservice industry markets like K-12 Schools, Higher Education, Healthcare and Business & Industry.

Mike Buzalka’s experience:

Executive Features Editor, Food Management magazine (2010-present)

Contributing Editor, Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News (2016-present)

Associate Editor, Food Management magazine (1998-2010)

Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1997-1998)

Assistant Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1989-1997)

 

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