Monthly Archives: July 2016

Dietary Needs July 26, 2016

Utilize Technology to Make Diet Choices Easier & Safer

Dietary Needs July 26, 2016

Nearly everyone is trying to watch what they eat nowadays, but even the most obsessive foodies can find it frustrating to really know with confidence just what they are putting into their bodies. Food labels can be difficult to read and keep track of if you’re on a diet of any kind. Wouldn’t it be great if you could have laboratory testing info on all the foods you eat? Food Spectrometers & Detectors With so much power in our hands these days, it only makes sense that our smartphones would become the best source of food-related apps and tools. One…

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An Open Letter to the Meetings Industry
Dietary Needs Duty of Care Food Service Meetings & Events July 21, 2016

Meetings Industry – An Open Letter on Inclusion

Dietary Needs Duty of Care Food Service Meetings & Events July 21, 2016

Dear Meetings Industry, In June 2016, I attended Meeting Professionals International (MPI) World Education Congress. As usual, the international conference was well attended and a wonderful gathering of top industry professionals. We studied food and beverage topics, budgeting, international trends, hybrid and virtual meetings and more. Added to this year’s event was a celebration of inclusion … mostly. Unfortunately, the convention occurred on the heels of the tragic LGBT nightclub shooting in Florida, where 49 people were killed, over 50 were injured, and over 200 were held hostage until the gunman’s death, when police stormed the club around 2 a.m.…

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Meetings & Events Sustainability July 19, 2016

11 Ways to Implement Important Sustainability Practices

Meetings & Events Sustainability July 19, 2016

Sustainability has become a big aspect of almost any industry and in the meetings industry sustainability has become crucial to maintaining our social and environmental responsibility. While we often hear farmers producing sustainable crops or even sustainable livestock, our kitchens also need to take stock in their environmental impact as well to ensure a better quality and in-demand products. Just as Climatarians make specific changes in their diet to minimize their carbon footprint, we need to make changes, industry-wide, to do our best to minimize and diminish unsustainable practices across the supply chain and in the kitchen. Whether we seek a…

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Food Allergies July 14, 2016

Reversing the Social Stigma of Dietary Restrictions

Food Allergies July 14, 2016

I recently read a thought-provoking article about how children with food allergies are excluded and bullied in school, as much by teachers as by other students.  The article was written by a mother of two children with life-threatening food allergies, and it reveals a number of ways in which others’ dismissal of their needs diminishes their self-worth. If a teacher brings in cupcakes for the class, not only is the child excluded, forced to watch while everyone else eats, but also, the child has to reject the offer of food, a stigmatizing act in itself. “Sometimes,” article contributor, Dr. Alvarez…

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Laws & Regulations July 7, 2016

5 Life-Saving, No-Cost Tips: How to Have Accessible Events

Laws & Regulations July 7, 2016
Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act can feel like a daunting task for meeting planners on a tight budget--and an even greater challenge ever since “eating” was included as a “major life activity” in the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. This article highlights relatively easy, inexpensive ways to make your meeting accommodating for attendees with disabilities. I recommend bookmarking it for future events. Along those lines, I thought I’d share a handful of low- or no-cost ways to accommodate attendees with special dietary needs. Plan meals well in advance. If you can give the catering kitchen an accurate picture…

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Things We Love July 5, 2016

July: Culinary Arts, Blueberries, & Ice Cream, Oh My!

Things We Love July 5, 2016
Welcome to July! We’re more than halfway through 2016. Can you believe it? July is known for some pretty popular all-American menus. The fourth of July may mean barbeques and apple pie, but there is s much more that July has to offer. The Thrive! celebrations will include many special days this month, but the July themes of choice are National Culinary Arts Month, National Blueberries Month, and National Ice Cream Month. NATIONAL CULUNARY ARTS MONTH  While we love creative chefs and professional cooks, July is the designated month of recognition for leaders in culinary trends and dining excellence. Dine…

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