Texas Dietary Managers Association, Texas Woman’s University and Common-Senseinc Marketing announce today the kick-off of registration for “FoodCare for Healthcare 2008.” To be held March 19 in Longview, Texas, and March 20 in Denton, Texas, the conference delivers continuing education and networking opportunities for healthcare foodservice directors and managers in local venues that make it easy for attendees to participate in events featuring top-notch presentations. Topics will focus on food safety, nutrition and sustainable practices.

First of its Kind.

       “In this day of the internet and remote learning, no one has time to spend three days attending conferences,” noted Mindy Siegel, Common-Senseinc Development Director. FoodCare is filling the gap for this much-needed service by delivering state-of-the-art learning opportunities directly to managers in a convenient setting. “The concept is simple--we’re delivering critical information in an enjoyable format that’s conveniently located for attendees,“ she added.

 One-on-One Training

       Healthcare facilities, including hospitals, convalescent centers, long-term care and assisted living facilities, provide food for our most vulnerable population—the sick and the elderly.  It’s vital that kitchen directors and workers learn the latest and best practices, in a participatory, one-on-one setting. FoodCare is bringing nationally recognized speakers to suburban cities in Texas, where the healthcare market is growing to keep pace with an aging population. During March, National Nutrition Month, there will be two FoodCare for Healthcare conferences in Texas: one in Longview, and one in Denton.

       “We need to be sure the best information gets to everyone preparing food for patients,” states Carolyn Bednar, professor of nutrition and food sciences at Texas Woman’s University. “The FoodCare Conference is held in only one day. We did this so busy managers could easily work it into their schedules.”

National Experts

       To update foodservice directors about safety, FoodCare has recruited Dr. Doug Powell, Scientific Director of the International Food Safety Network, headquartered at Kansas State University. With an impressive background combining microbiology and journalism, Dr. Powell is ideally suited to develop food safety training, and is noted for making presentations engaging by utilizing humor and new media, including blogs and YouTube.

        In healthcare foodservice management, “sustainable” is synonymous with “waste-free.” The pioneering company in waste management, LeanPath (www.leanpath.com), teaches managers how to analyze and trim waste by reconfiguring their operation. At the FoodCare Conference, Andrew Shakman, CEO of LeanPath, will address the value of waste management in hospital settings by citing case studies from healthcare customers.

For more information, visit the FoodCare website:  www.common-sensefood.com

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FoodCare is either a registered trademark or trademarks of Common-senseinc. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

For more information:

Maribeth Lipscomb, 214-663-2433

Maribeth.lipscomb@common-senseinc.com