Case Study - La Gourmande Central Food Production Unit

A privately operated food unit owned by the Dutch Hospital Group Isala. This central food production unit is sited on an industrial estate at Zwolle south west Holland. It is run on a commercial basis and has been operational since September 2007. The unit delivers to 2 hospitals, 3 nursing homes, 1 rehabilitation centre and 3 cafeterias. Food production is based on home cooking (20%) and bought-in (80%). The investment is based upon long term customer contracts, with high flexibility in choice of food, delivery and logistics.

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Carbo-Fresh System

Carbo-Fresh injection station including control panel, time controlled injection gun, exhaust system and CO2 security. One push easy to use buttons with preset timers. Injection gun with ergonomic, weightless spring connection. No special requirements needed for staff or working environment.

Transport

A truck arrives and takes its position at the loading zone. The truck is ambient and NOT refrigerated - resulting in huge cost savings. Loading of the carts is easy and comfortable [3 abreast with maximum 10 in a row]. Average time between loading and unloading at site is 45 minutes. The truck returns with empty/used meal carts. Removal of transport security bars takes place. Carts are unloaded to the cleansing zone.

Automatic Monitoring

Return of the used carts to the ’unclean’ zone adjacent to the wash-up area. Isecom system transmits a ’wake-up call’ to the carts modem and identification takes place. The alerted modus is activated and all data is transferred. Carts arrive in wash-up/cleaning area where another transmitter collects all data from the carts [in random order] and transfers the data automatically to the nearby office. A computer records and saves all the data. Any malfunctions, misuse or temperature problems being reported and highlighted on screen, including identification of carts and destinations.

ISECO Equipment Used

Food is regenerated at the hospitals in Vitalis-Carbo single-tray carts and at the nursing homes in Serelis bulk-food ward service carts. Crockery, stainless steel pans, disposable foils and plastics are all used in service.

  • Chilled carts storage is used [unchilled storage is possible]
  • 60 Vitalis Carbo-Fresh carts for plated meal distribution
  • 20 Navis Carbo-Fresh carts for bulk-food distribution
  • Carts storage sited between the wash-up area and plating area
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    Facts & Figures
  • Total kitchen floor surface 1100m2
  • Offices, cafetaria, changing facilities, technical area total 288m2
  • Current output 1550 meals per day
  • Total staff: 31 [only 6 full time employees]
  • Maximum output 2500 meals a day
  • Combination of plated and bulk-food chilled meals [50/50 split]
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    Environmental & Sustainable Facts
  • Re-cycled CO2 used as cold agent. NO electricity for compressors [trolleys or lorries]. No CFC’s. No maintenance or repairs. No energy required to operate compressors or to diffuse heat at ward level [extraction].
  • ± 0% greenhouse effect. Low carbon footprint.
  • Less difficulty with cleaning because bacteriostatic value of CO2 is zero.
  • Floor surface made of non-slip rubber using tiles made from revolutionary re-cycled car tyres [low risk non-slip].
  • Segregated underground waste storage (paper, plastics, glass, waste food and chemicals). No refrigeration for waste products needed and no odours.
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