Happy To Wear

Outfit your staff members with Food & Nutrition Services Deluxe Denim Aprons to demonstrate your gratitude for the outstanding job they do. Pin a name on each apron and have them waiting at the start of shifts. Enhance the surprise by adding handwritten notes of thanks to Food & Nutrition Services Greeting Cards. Place the cards in the apron pockets. Your staff will appreciate the personalized messages.

Beyond Bingo

Put your employees’ knowledge to the test. First obtain a standard bingo set. Next compose questions about your facility and also about food preparation. Gather everyone and explain that you’ll be playing bingo with a twist. When each number is called, read a question. Whoever has the number on his or her card should write down an answer. To win a round of bingo, a player needs to have correctly answered the questions that go with the five in-a-row squares. Award gifts for winning, such as “Food & Nutrition Services: The Profession With Good Taste” Antibacterial Sanitizer Pocket Spray or Lapel Pin Badge Holders.

Name That Food

In your department, meals are serious business. But for National Healthcare Food Service Week, create a meal for your appreciation luncheon that’s also a game. Prepare foods that are less common, such as jicama, quinoa and dragon fruit. Ask your luncheon guests to identify the foods as they eat them. Give everyone “Dietary Services: Caring & Commitment, Our Main Ingredients” Palm Graters and Measuring Combo Packs for being good sports.

Cake Master

Encourage creativity by organizing a cake baking and decorating contest. Have your employees sign up ahead of time if they want to take part. Then you can order a “Dietary Services: A Recipe For Excellence” T-Shirt for each one. As is done on the Food Network’s Last Cake Standing show, announce a theme for the cakes, such as fairytales. If your facility doesn’t have an oven per contestant, let them do the baking at home. Require that the decorating take place at work. Recruit some “celebrity” judges from bakeries around town to decide on a winner. Reward the first-place baker with a Dietary Services Deluxe Backpack.

Looking Good Enough To Eat

Looking Good Enough To Eat Inspire your dietary services staff members to stretch the limits of their imaginations. Challenge them to dress up as their favorite food items. Don’t give any suggestions on how to accomplish this. Be prepared to take pictures of their creations. On costume day, hand out “Dietary Services: Seasoned With Excellence” Deluxe Lunch Bags to everyone who has dressed up. If you want to turn the activity into a contest, offer a “Dietary Services: Seasoned With Excellence” Deluxe Denim Apron as the prize.

Testing Their Memory

By spending a few more minutes preparation time for your National Healthcare Food Service Week event, you can add lots more fun. Gather two or three dozen small items from around your facility (measuring spoons, spices, etc.). Place them on a tray and cover with a cloth. Give each employee some paper and a pencil. Uncover the tray for 60 seconds, allowing everyone a chance to study the items. Then, with the tray covered, ask participants to write down as many items as they can remember. Award a “Food & Nutrition Services One Mission: Good Nutrition” Navy Micro fleece Blanket or a “Food & Nutrition Services One Mission: Good Nutrition” Tote Bag & Water Bottle Combo to the winner of the game.

Moving Gifts

Every year, find a unique way to distribute gifts of appreciation during your recognition week. In 2008, try playing a version of musical chairs called “musical gifts.” Start by gift wrapping items that aren’t too bulky, such as “Great Staff, Great Team” Ceramic Mug & Stationery Sets and “Great Staff, Great Team” Baseball Caps. Hold a mini get-together, complete with snacks, decorations and music. Instruct everyone to pick out a wrapped gift and stand in a circle. Play a song as you have your employees pass around the gifts; when the music stops, each person keeps the gift in his or her hand.