SURREY, BC — Peace Arch Hospital is set to revolutionize hospital dining with a $15 million kitchen renovation aimed at replacing the current “prepared and retherm” model with a state-of-the-art full production kitchen. This transformation, funded entirely by the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation, will allow for meals cooked entirely from scratch, enhancing both the quality and personalization of food served to patients.
Matthew Richmond, the food operations manager at Fraser Health, is at the helm of this initiative. Richmond, inspired by his own experience as a patient, emphasizes the importance of heart and soul in hospital meals. “As a chef, I want to savour the food and have a connection to it,” Richmond explains. His vision for the new kitchen at Peace Arch Hospital is to craft meals that not only meet nutritional standards but also bring joy to patients during their stay.
The existing kitchen at the hospital is nearing the end of its lifespan. The planned 5,971 square feet renovation includes an 800 square foot storage area and is scheduled to begin construction next spring. It will take approximately one year to complete, with the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation spearheading a $5 million public fundraising campaign to cover the costs.
Susan Kelly, regional food operations manager for Peace Arch and Delta Hospitals, highlights the project’s patient-centric approach, noting that the new kitchen will support programs like Choice Dining, which allows patients to choose their meals through an app or with the help of a menu assistant. “When patients have foods they enjoy, they tend to eat better and get stronger, have fewer complications and shorter hospital stays,” Kelly points out.
Nutrition plays a critical role in patient recovery, with studies from the Canadian Malnutritional Task Force showing that up to half of all adult patients are malnourished upon hospital admission. Melissa LeBlanc, dietitian practice leader at Peace Arch Hospital, states, “Food is medicine and medicine heals. We want patients and residents to eat and enjoy the food we’re serving, which will have a positive impact on their mental and physical well-being.”
The new menu is expected to be a feast for the senses. Steven Courtney, chef at Peace Arch Hospital, anticipates a variety of aromatic dishes, including grilled chicken, braised beef, and vibrant vegetables. “When patients lift the lid, I want them to be hit with a lot of different aromas,” says Courtney.
Stephanie Beck, chief executive officer of the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation, emphasizes the broader significance of the project. “Food is more than fuel, especially for our most vulnerable patients. It’s connection, comfort, and healing,” Beck explains. She hopes that with support from generous donors, the project will ensure that every patient receives meals that nourish both body and spirit.
This ambitious renovation at Peace Arch Hospital is more than just a construction project; it’s a reimagining of how hospital food can contribute to healing and recovery, making every meal an integral part of the patient care experience.