Testimonies

“What a difference our Suzy Q cart has made in all of our communities! The warm plates, the positive interactions between chef and tenants as they ‘check out the dinner’, the aroma of food that greets our tenants when they come into the dining room have greatly enhanced the dining experience. Our staff love the convenience of transporting a full three course meal as well as the ability to bring hot and cold items during the same trip. The ease, convenience and positive contributions to the overall dining experience make Suzy Q’s a MUST in all our communities”.

Shannon Campbell

Training & Development Specialist ~ Life Enrichment
inSite Housing, Hospitality, & Health Services Inc
Vancouver, BC

Web: www.insiteseniorcare.com

“Going from tray service to using the hot cart has made a world of difference in our Special Care Unit. Residents are not only eating more of their meal, but are noticeably enjoying meal times more”.

Bonnie Millin

Director of Support Services, Maplewood House Society, Abbotsford, BC

"The Suzy Q hot food carts fit with our Eden philosophy at New Vista Society. Our elders do not feel helpless or bored at mealtime when they can see and choose their meal.

Margaret MacLennan

Director of Food Services, New Vista Society, Burnaby, BC

Residents

"You have your choice of food." (John, 83)

"You get what you want and the amount." (Edna, 92)

"Food that I don't want to eat is not on my plate."(Flo, 94)

"I like getting to know the staff and they know about food preferences." (Walter, 87)

Food Service Staff

"I find with the Hot Food Cart system that the meal service is a lot better for our residents. They seem happier because they have a choice of what they want and the amount. It give the cooks time to get to know the residents and spend a bit of time talking with them. You get to know their likes & dislikes a lot better because of this. Their food stays hotter by serving this way and this makes them happy." (Ingrid, cook)

"This system works very well and doesn't take any more time to serve the meals. There is more contact time with the residents so you get to know them, and leftovers are used much better. It took some time to get adjusted to the change, but I wouldn't go back to the pre-plate system." (Betty, cook)

"Now you get a different perspective of the residents as you get to know and interact with them. It is better for workload as you don't have to run back and forth to the kitchen. There is much less waste, portion sizes are individual and it is much better". (Lilli, dietary aid)

Care Services

"Food service for the residents is more relaxed and less rushed. As a resident attendant we don't have to know that diet types the residents take, the amount, preferences, etc. as the dietary staff are now out in the dining room with the residents. I much prefer this system." (Myra, resident attendant)

Management/Owners

"The most important result has been in the resident satisfaction. The residents are able to have a choice, and dine in a home-like atmosphere. Food is no longer served by trays which tends to be unappealing and certainly not home-like. Also, the residents get to know the people who prepare the food and it does make meal times more personal. The care staff are not busy running around carrying trays of food anymore, but are hands-on regarding the resident's nutritional care". (Wanda, Director of Care)

Facilities Using the Hot Food Cart System

The Hot Food Cart System is in place in over 50 facilities throughout Canada and the United States. A sample list of the facilities that have switched are;

Arbutus Care Home, Vancouver, BC

B & B Foods, Indiana, USA

Bentley Care Centre, Red Deer, Alberta

Broadway Pentecostal Home, Vancouver, BC

Cerwydden Care Facility, Duncan, BC

Cowichan District Hospital, Duncan, BC

Dogwood Lodge, Vancouver, BC

Dunrovin Park Lodge, Quesnel, BC

Dykeland Lodge, Windsor, NS

Eagle Park Care Home, Qualicum Beach, BC

Ebenezer Home, Abbotsford, BC

Fleetwood Care Center, Surrey, BC

Golden Ears Retirement Center, Maple Ridge, BC

Gorge Road Hospital, Victoria, BC

Hallmark Assisted Living, Abbotsford, BC

Henry Country Health Center, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa

Indiana War Veteran’s Home, W. Lafayette, IN

Kinsmen Retirement Centre, Delta, BC

Kiwanis Manor (Assisted Living) West Vancouver, BC

Little Sisters of the Poor Home, New York, NY

Langley Lodge, Langley, BC

Louisiana War Veteran’s Home, Jackson, LA

Luther Court Society, Victoria, BC

Lynn Valley Care Center, North Vancouver, BC

Mannville Care Centre, Mannville, Alberta

Maplewood House, Abbotsford, BC

Mid Michigan Stratford Village, Midland, MI

Mission Hospice, Mission, BC

Morgan Creek, Surrey, BC

Mountain Lake Seniors Community, Nelson, BC

Nanaimo General Hospital, Nanaimo, BC

New Vista Care Home, Burnaby, BC

Northcrest Care Centre, Delta, BC

Pleasant View Care Home, Mission, BC

Rimbey Hospital and Care Center, Rimbey, Alberta

Regina Lutheran Home, Regina, SK

Rocky Mountain House and Care Center, Rocky House Alberta

Sundre Hospital and Care Center, Sundre, Alberta

SUCCESS Seniors Care, Vancouver, BC

Tabor Home, Abbotsford, BC

The Lodge at Broadmead, Victoria, BC

Trillium Lodge, Parksville, BC

Valley Haven Guest Home, Chilliwack, BC

Westminster Village, Terre Haute, IN

Wesley Housing Corp, Memphis, TN

Windsor Elms Care Home, Windsor, NS

Valley Haven Guest Home, Chilliwack, BC

Valley Park Manor, Red Deer, Alberta

Victoria General Hospital, Victoria, BC

Villa Cartial, Vancouver, BC

Youville Residence, Vancouver, BC