The Healthy Food Company, under the Nanna Kay brand, has launched its range of children’s prepared meals into the healthcare sector after forming an agreement with Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, Somerset.
To celebrate the launch, the company has held a pop-up event at the hospital, giving patients, staff and visitors an opportunity to sample a selection of meals, which will be supplied at the hospital in addition to the existing menu.
The food-tasting event was also attended by several senior team members at the hospital including Hayley Peters, director of patient care and chief operating officer, Matthew Bryant.
Kay Shearing, manufacturing and product director at The Healthy Food Company, said, “The launch at Musgrove Park Hospital is the result of several years of work to pinpoint the right products and formats that the hospital needs to meet it’s ever-improving meal offerings and nutrition.
“We are privileged to be part of the NHS meals service and we are passionate about improving food and nutrition in hospitals for all patients.
“We are delighted that Phil Shelley and Jon Smith gave us the opportunity to launch at their hospital. The day was invaluable as we got to speak and feed the very people who will be either serving our food or the ultimate end user, the patients.
“The food and the story behind it was so well received with one toddler polishing off two platefuls of cottage pie and a one-year-old who couldn’t get enough of the chicken curry. Mums, dads and dieticians were most impressed; a success all round.”
She added, “Every meal provides the perfect balance of carbohydrates, protein and good fats for children to support them in their development. Our meals never contain any artificial colours, additives or preserves and have no added salt or sugar.”
Hot food sampled on the day included traditional meals such as cottage pie and fish pie, along with a chicken curry and rice and a vegetable chilli. Additionally, all visitors were asked to submit a suggestion for their favourite children’s meal of all time.
Phil Shelley, facilities manager at Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and immediate past chair of the Hospital Caterers Association (HCA), said, “Musgrove Park is delighted to be the first NHS Hospital to be working with The Healthy Food Company.
“The focus on the nutritional value and quality of the product has been vigorous to ensure that all parties are proud of the meals that we serve to our patients.
“Our intention is to use the choices on the children’s menu first, with the aim of flexing our patient selection in other areas in the coming months.
“The enthusiasm and drive of The Healthy Food Company shows a passion for patient food that all of us should reflect.”
Speaking on Twitter after the event, Hayley Peters, director of patient care at Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, said, “Delighted to partner with Nanna Kay’s [The Healthy Food Company] to improve the menu for our children and young people at Musgrove Park. Thank you for sharing the menu today.”
The Healthy Food Company was founded by mother and daughter team, Kay Shearing and Donna Tresadern after they identified a gap in the market for healthy and nutritious children’s prepared meals to support time-strapped parents.
The company also set about improving meal offerings in schools, nurseries and hospitals, providing full meal solutions such as macaroni cheese and beef lasagne, as well as standalone items including pasta sauces. It now works across the education, healthcare, care home and private sectors.
