Successfully Partnering with Local Produce Farm

At the offices of Athena Health, a healthcare management company in Watertown, MA, a new partnership is helping employees get fresher, more nutritious meals.

At the offices of Athena Health, a healthcare management company in Watertown, MA, a new partnership is helping employees get fresher, more nutritious meals.

The Farm School, a non-profit, Athol, MA-based farm that trains students and adults in organic agriculture, provides produce to the cafeteria. “We wanted to use local, organic product and really focus on good health,” says Theresa Zahner, foodservice director for Unidine, which manages foodservice at Athena.

Zahner emails The Farm Store two mornings a week with her requests, and the farmers pick and deliver a customized produce package the next day. She notes that the shelf life of these items exceeds those of traditional produce, making the partnership a cost-effective enterprise. The 200-215 employees that she serves daily have responded positively.

Consistent with the health focus, there are no grills, fryers or pizza stations in the cafeteria. Instead, Zahner uses healthier techniques such as braising and roasting, and she draws on her nutrition background to encourage good choices.

Excerpt from FoodService Director Magazine’s August 15, 2007 article, “B&I Cafeteria Partners with Farm School.” Reprinted with permission of Ideal Media, LLC.