5 things: Importance of healthy food options expected to drive hospital foodservice market growth

In this edition of 5 Things, Food Management highlights five things you may have missed recently about developments affecting onsite dining.

Here’s your list for today:

 1.    Hospital foodservice market expected to grow significantly over next decade

In the fiscal year 2023,  hospital food services market size will be worth $39.7 billion, up from $37.0 billion in the previous year. The market is anticipated to increase at a 7.5% compounded annual growth rate from 2023 to 2033, reaching a value of $81.9 billion by the end of that year. According to Fact.MR, a provider of market research and competitive intelligence, hospital food service has been driven by factors like the rising public awareness of the importance of offering healthy food options in hospitals, which has given the market an advantage.

Read more: Hospital Food Service Market Is Expected To Reach At A Valuation US$ 81.9 Billion By 2033

 2.    Washington University adds minority/woman-owned restaurants to its campus dining mix

Washington University in St. Louis University Dining Services has invited five popular local restaurants to set up shop on campus this August, just as students begin settling in for the school year. Each restaurant is minority- or woman-owned, and the diverse combination of cuisines creates an experience that goes far beyond typical cafeteria-style dining.

Related:5 things: Free summer meal counts plunged 45% last year, study finds

Read more: These 5 local restaurant favorites will transform WashU's dining program in fall 2023

 3.    High school renovates cafeteria to be more than just a dining space

Pueblo High School in Arizona has renovated the school cafeteria "to create a social...a place where kids can do their homework, study, but also a place to eat," according to Principal Frank Rosthenhausler. Designer Eva Murzaite of Interiors of Design used natural lighting—filtered by safety screens—to brighten up the space as well as ceiling fixtures that mimic the way the furniture will face, while new finishes on the walls and floors help refresh the room to reflect a restaurant-like atmosphere and other elements, like color theme, are chosen to inspire healthy eating habits.

Read more: Pueblo High School reimagines its cafeteria to inspire students

 4.    Contract firm Mazzone names new leadership

Mazzone Hospitality, a unit of Restaurant Associates that provides catering and dining management services to businesses in institutions in New York, has named Tim Vennard vice president after he led Mazzone's PRIME Dining to represent more than 50% of the company’s overall revenue, with a portfolio including 11 of the region’s largest employers. In addition, Justine Ochal has been moved into the role of vice president of sales and client relations, and Mark Delos fills the role of vice president of culinary. Mazzone Hospitality is a former FM Top 50 firm that was the contract catering division of commercial restaurant company Mazzone Management Group until it was sold to Restaurant Associates in 2017

Related:5 tech things: All Whole Foods stores will offer Amazon One palm payment by end of this year

Read more: Mazzone Hospitality announces new leadership

 5.    Hospital food goes viral on TikTok

In an era of rising commercial restaurant prices, TikTok user Dre (@dreindallas) has posted a video with over 452,000 views in which he shares his unexpected discovery of a cheap meal spot, UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, where he spent nearly a month as an inpatient. Meanwhile, in the comments section, many users shared the unexpected joy of hospital food.

Read more: ‘I come here all the time to get something to eat’: Man goes to the hospital just to order food from its cafeteria

Bonus: FM On Demand with Tara Fitzpatrick: From casino to cafeteria, Stony Brook University Hospital’s Chef Jim Kellenberger rolls dice on meaningful onsite chef life

Contact Mike Buzalka at [email protected]