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Recognizing The Nutrition and Food Service Department (NFS)

Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System Food and Nutrition Services Department staff.
By Akeam Ashford, Chief of communications

The Nutrition and Food Service Department (NFS) is pleased to acknowledge the 22 hard-working food service employees who are integral to the operation of the Jack C. Montgomery VA Hospital. The NFS Department observed National Healthcare Food Service Workers Week last month, October 6-12.

The Nutrition and Food Service Department (NFS) is pleased to acknowledge the 22 hard-working food service employees who are integral to the operation of the Jack C. Montgomery VA Hospital. The NFS Department observed National Healthcare Food Service Workers Week last month, October 6-12.

In the 2024 fiscal year, an astounding 65,403 meals were served to veterans. By the end of Fiscal Year 2023, there were 64,432 meals prepared by JCMVA food service staff. 

It is especially important that NFS food service employees are recognized this year because they rose to the challenge of improving the dining experience for inpatient veterans in a major system overhaul in January 2024. Now, the Jack C. Montgomery VA Hospital food service has Room Service Dining, a patient-centered food delivery service.

NFS Food Service workers are active all day in their multifaced roles, mostly on their feet. They prepare food and perform duties to ensure the safest food environments. NFS employees are ServSafe certified and receive continued education every month to help them best perform their duties in the healthcare setting. Workers start their shifts at 6:00 AM and finish as late as 7:00 PM, often catching the last shuttle to Hatbox parking. They transport 250-pound metal delivery carts throughout the day to the upper floors. The loud dish rooms can be overwhelming during wash cycles. Restocking cooler units requires spending extended periods in cold environments and standing close to heated cooking spaces for several hours at time is uncomfortable. The hours on the job can be quite mentally and physically demanding.

Please take an extra moment to thank NFS food service workers for their dedication and care. They can be spotted in the hallways or patient floors wearing dark blue culinarian uniforms outlined with black collars. 

A few ways to tell the NFS food service workers THANKS! 

  • Write a thank you note and leave it on a meal tray or deliver a note in person to the kitchen. 
  • Send a Teams message to the Nutrition and Food Service Chief, Greg Thomas. 
  • Call the nutrition communication center for a quick mention of praise (the number is on the menus).
  • Acknowledge them on the hospital floors or hallways with a polite wave or smile.