The Por Vida Re-vamp Project
In June 2011, Life Care Hospital became the first hospital in San Antonio to initiate the Por Vida program for its patients and cafeteria customers. Por Vida is a restaurant recognition program that helps adults and children make healthier food choices by identifying the menu items that meet healthy nutritional guidelines. Life Care hospital offered healthy menu choices but needed practical strategies to keep momentum for the implication of Por Vida program.
The Por Vida Re-vamp Project was designed to help Life Care Hospital’s food service director and staff make small and practical changes to create a healthier dining environment by providing nutritional choices for internal and external customers. The project was designed to provide marketing tools and training relating to preparation, display and service of nutritious meal choices in the hospital cafeteria. The Por Vida Revamp Project was divided into two components; Marketing and Promotion and Staff Development and Training.
Under Marketing and Promotion, several napkin holder inserts were designed based on the key ingredient in Por Vida recipes served in the cafeteria. A recipe taste test was administered and the tested recipe was included in the Por Vida menu.
Staff development incorporated training briefings and in-service sessions. In addition, a survey was administered to assess the level of readiness among food service staff in regards to Por Vida service. Based on survey results and staff input, a Culinary Challenge was held where all the food service employees prepared different recipes. The winning recipes were included in the menu.
The overall project was a very good oppurtunity to practice food service management and polish product and program development skills.
