Implementing a New Menu Cycle

• List three steps needed to implement a new menu cycle within your facility
• Create a timeline for rolling out the new menu
• Recite two of the GFS resources available when implementing a new menu cycle

​

To provide the information and solutions needed to successfully implement a new menu cycle within your facility.

​

​

2

Implementing a New Menu Cycle

Purpose:

Objectives:

GORDON FOOD SERVICE -

New Menu Cycle

Reasons

• Current menu is outdated- more than two years old
• Current menu does not meet your new or current serving style
• New state or federal guidelines
• Corporate has bought or developed a new menu
• Residents are complaining- change is good!

3

Implementing a New Menu Cycle

GORDON FOOD SERVICE -

Reviewing the New Menu Cycle

Things to Consider

• Does it meet nutritional requirements?
• F803- Menu meets established national guidelines

4

Implementing a New Menu Cycle

GORDON FOOD SERVICE -

Reviewing the New Menu Cycle

Things to Consider

• DHCC recommendations for LTC
• 2-3 milk/dairy servings
• 5-6 ounces meat/protein sources
• 5 serving fruit/vegetables
• 6 servings starch

5

Implementing a New Menu Cycle

GORDON FOOD SERVICE -

Reviewing the New Menu Cycle

Review Diet Extensions

• Does it have all the diets you need?
• Now is a good time to change/update diets
• Is the menu liberalized?
• Review recipes
• Are they standardized?
• Do they have HACCP of food safety instructions?

6

Implementing a New Menu Cycle

GORDON FOOD SERVICE -

Reviewing the New Menu Cycle

Review Recipes

• Are they standardized?
• Do they have HACCP or food safety instructions

7

Implementing a New Menu Cycle

GORDON FOOD SERVICE -

Reviewing the New Menu Cycle

Make sure it fits all of your needs!

• Facility Diets/Policies
• Delivery Method/Schedule
• Resident Preference
• Food Cost
• Equipment
• Storage
• Staff

8

Implementing a New Menu Cycle

GORDON FOOD SERVICE -

Reviewing the New Menu Cycle

Does it fit your needs?

• Facility Diets/Policies
• Do the diets provided match your current offering?
• Delivery Method/Schedule
• Can the menu work for trayline, buffet, select, and/or wait-staff style?
• Resident Preference
• Is the menu appropriate for your residents?

​

9

Implementing a New Menu Cycle

GORDON FOOD SERVICE -

Reviewing the New Menu Cycle

Does it fit your needs?

• Food Cost
• If the menu price per patient day (PPD) within your proposed budget?
• Storage
• Do you have enough storage space for the recommended items?

​

​

10

Implementing a New Menu Cycle

GORDON FOOD SERVICE -

Reviewing the New Menu Cycle

Does it fit your needs?

• Staff
• Do you have enough staff to prepare the proposed recipes?
• What is the skill of your staff?

​

​

11

Implementing a New Menu Cycle

GORDON FOOD SERVICE -

Reviewing the New Menu Cycle

If you answered no to those questions, prepare an action plan to make the menu fit.

• Create a timeline
• Determine how much time it will take to implement the new menu with everything that needs to be done to make the menu fit
• Determine a roll out date

Make it a facility team approach

​

​

12

Implementing a New Menu Cycle

GORDON FOOD SERVICE -

A Team Approach

Discuss the menu with those affected by the change

• Residents & Families
• Dietary, Cooks, Food Service Manager
• Registered Dietitian
• Nursing
• Administrator
• Medical Director
• Food Distributor

​

​

​

13

Implementing a New Menu Cycle

GORDON FOOD SERVICE -

Schedule Meetings

Residents & Families

• Schedule time to discuss at resident council
• Bring sample copies of the new menu
• Give the residents a choice
• Allow for greater acceptance
• Listen to their opinions
• Don’t agree to things you know will not work

​

​

​

​

14

Implementing a New Menu Cycle

GORDON FOOD SERVICE -

Schedule Meetings

Dietary

• Inform the Dietary Department of the new changes to come
• Listen to their opinions too
• Let the production staff review the recipes ahead of time
• Assist the Food Service Manager in developing a shopping list of new items
• Involve your GFS Customer Development Specialist

​

​

​

​

15

Implementing a New Menu Cycle

GORDON FOOD SERVICE -

Schedule Meetings

Software

• If using software with the new menu, schedule adequate time to be trained
• Make time to additional staff to be trained on software if needed
• If using GFS software, consult with your GFS Customer Development Specialist

​

​

​

​

​

16

Implementing a New Menu Cycle

• Additional questions can be directed to the GFS Nutrition Resource Center available M-F 8-5pm EST at nrc@gfs.com

GORDON FOOD SERVICE -

New Menu Changes

Make the necessary adjustments to the menu

• Provide your registered dietitian with nutritional printouts for approval.
• If you need to liberalize you diets for this new menu, refer to the GFS In-Service, Liberalized Diets in Long Term Care”
• If you need to create additional diets for this new menu, refer to the GFS-In Service, “Cycle Menu Planning”

​

​

​

​

17

Implementing a New Menu Cycle

GORDON FOOD SERVICE -

Time to Implement

​

• Once all of the meetings have been completed, it’s time to implement
• If starting on a weekend, have the appropriate staff available
• Post the new menu for staff and residents
• Run the menu cycle completely in its entirety

​

​

​

​

18

Implementing a New Menu Cycle

GORDON FOOD SERVICE -

Time to Implement

​

• Document issues as they arise
• Receive feedback from your team
• Make adjustments as needed
• Have menu re-approved by registered dietitian if menu changes need to be made

​

​

​

​

19

Implementing a New Menu Cycle

GORDON FOOD SERVICE -

Conclusion

​

• A well laid-out plan can bring about a smooth menu roll-out
• Be prepared and know your resources
• Make it a positive experience
• Let it be a team approach

​

​

​

​

20

Implementing a New Menu Cycle

GORDON FOOD SERVICE -

Thank you.

If you have questions,

Please contact the Nutrition Resource Center at:

1.800.968.4426

nrc@gfs.com

​