Patient Meals

Good nutrition is essential for recovery and good health. Our team of Cooks, Dietitians, Food Service Supervisors, Dietary Aides and Dietary Clerks are passionate about food service and supporting the patient's healing experience with good nourishment.

The team prepares tasty and nutritious meals and snacks for admitted patients through bedside tray service.  The department also prepares meals for Meals on Wheels clients across Muskoka.  Great attention is paid to portions and the nutrient needs and individual dietary restrictions of each patient.  The department has embraced Ontario's Local Food Act and opportunities to incorporate more local food into meals served to patients.

Vending machines are located on the first floor of both Huntsville District Memorial Hospital Site and South Muskoka Memorial Hospital Site.  Additional food items are available for sale through the Auxiliary-run gift shops during operating hours.

Meal Service

Most of the meals served at MAHC are prepared in our own kitchens at our sites in Huntsville and Bracebridge.  Menus are based on Canada's Food Guide and individual nutritional needs or restrictions.  Meal service is personalized and patient focused through menu selection at the patient bedside.  On a daily basis, patients select their preferred entrée, dessert, soup or salad at lunch and suppertime from a list of menu options.  Read more about our investments in food service. 

Meals are served as follows:

• Breakfast 8:00 to 8:30 a.m.;
• Lunch 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.;
• Dinner 4:45 to 5:15 p.m.

Family members and visitors of patients may also request a meal from our patient menu for a nominal fee.  The meal is served in the patient's room during meal times.  Please ask for more details about this service. 

Food Brought From Home for Patients

Sometimes families and friends also wish to bring in food for patients.  We support this at MAHC, and want to ensure that all food served to patients is safe in accordance with best practice food regulations that reduce the risk of food poisoning or other food-related issues.  Please check with the nurse first to ensure that all food and beverage received by a patient fits with the doctor’s diet order.

• All perishable food should go immediately into a patient fridge.  Exception: hot foods brought for immediate consumption.
• Please alert Nursing or Dietary staff to any food you bring in.  Use the provided adhesive labels to indicate the following on any perishable food items to be stored in the fridge:

1. Patient’s name
2. Food item
3. Date prepared

• Unlabeled items, or food left in the fridge longer than three (3) days will be discarded. 
• Any food that has entered a patient’s room cannot be stored in the unit fridge.  Once food has entered the patient’s room, all leftovers must be thrown out.

Clinical Nutrition

Our Registered Dietitians provide a Clinical Nutrition service to inpatients and outpatients.