Hospital food, redefined

KINGSTON, N.Y.—Forget about the yuck factor.

You simply won’t find it in the meals served to patients at HealthAlliance hospitals.

At least, that’s the belief of those who work in the food service program. They claim that their dishes are not only created to look appetizing these days, but just as much care goes into making them both nutritional and palatable.

“When you’re lying in a hospital bed, when the tray is delivered, we want it to look nice, smell nice and taste good,” said Vicki Kelly, the clinical nutrition manager at HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley. “We have very high standards, and we do deliver that.

“A hospital is not a pleasant experience because you’re not well. One of the bright spots of the day is the food,” she said.