Ohio hospital gets cafeteria, menu face-lift

COSHOCTON, Ohio – Bill Gill was taken slightly aback as he entered the newly renovated Coshocton Hospital cafeteria Monday morning.

The 95-year-old who lives on Cambridge Road said dining at the hospital is "handy" for him, and he found its new serving line — featuring everything from freshly made pizza and hamburgers to a pasta dish prepared while he waited — as "quite elaborate."

Upgrades went beyond fresh paint, new flooring and enhanced lighting. Director of Dietary Services Don Palmer said the real focus by Sodexo was to improve the quality and healthfulness of the food. A weekly menu marks what items are vegetarian or vegan and fit Sodexo's Mindful Menu Options program.

The cafeteria is phase one in a hospital meal overhaul, Palmer said. He and dietician Krista Mathews are working on a new person-to-person meal ordering system and menu for patients that will tie into the healthful options at the cafeteria that should be implemented shortly after the first of the year.

The hospital contracted in June with Sodexo, one of the largest food service providers in the health care field, to manage daily operations of dietary services. The hospital retained its 25-person kitchen staff. Palmer said much of the equipment was refurbished.