By Healthcare Facilities Today

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Association for Healthcare Foodservice (AHF), the professional society for healthcare food and nutrition professionals in self-operated facilities, will celebrate Healthcare Foodservice Workers Week  October 7 - 11.

The Healthcare Foodservice Workers Week tradition was started in 1985 by a legacy association that is now part of AHF.  Through their efforts, the U.S. Congress declared that the first full week of each October would be a time to recognize the integral role that foodservice staff have in helping the employees and patients of healthcare facilities stay well-nourished and healthy. Today the importance of excellent nutrition has been established and documented, but it is even more critical to those individuals in healthcare facilities. This week is an excellent opportunity to recognize and thank those dedicated individuals who provide food and nutrition services in healthcare.

"Throughout the year, healthcare foodservice professionals work to provide nutritious meals and caring service to patients and visitors," said Laura Watson, President of AHF. "And each October, we celebrate their hard work with Healthcare Foodservice Workers Week … a thank you to all those dedicated professionals for their passion and commitment to providing the best for our clients."

Additional information regarding Healthcare Foodservice Workers Week, including details for the YouTube contest as well as a customized collection of gifts for foodservice employees is available on the AHF website.