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On Nov. 18, UVA Health Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is set to serve the first of three new menus to UVA Health Children's patients. Phase One — tailored for ages 4 to 8 — features fun, kid-approved favorites such as dino-shaped nuggest and smiley fries, "combining comfort and nutrition in every bite," describes Anthony Humphrey, MBA, RD, Director, Food and Nutrition Services.

A second menu will be served to ages 9 to 12, followed by a third menu for ages 13–17 — ensuring each age group enjoys meals that are appealing and nutritionally appropriate. Humphrey says each of the three distinct menus is curated to meet the specific needs and preferences of children and teens.

Chef Matt Baber led the development of the program, working closely with FNS clinical dietitians to balance flavor and fun with proper nutrition — because, as Baber explains, “we heal people with food.”

A sampling of the first new, pediatric bedside menu made its debut at the Battle Building in Charlottesville on Nov. 5 during a "Welcome to the Underwater World" event. Team members — including nurses — and patients ages 4 to 8 and their families, got a sneak peek (and taste!) of breakfast, lunch, and dinner offerings such as bacon, breakfast potatoes, cinammon French toast sticks, silver dollar pancakes, scrambled eggs, to cheeseburgers, deep dish pizza, dino-shaped chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, tater tots, turkey and cheese "sammies," and of course — most suited to the ocean theme — fish sticks!

Also on the upcoming new menus: biscuits and gravy, cheddar cheese grits, ham and cheddar cheese egg bites, turkey sausage patties, pasta and meatballs, barbeque pork sliders, quesadillas, tomato soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, grilled chicken and broccoli alfredo, pork carnitas tacos, pinto beans, rice, grilled chicken breast, mashed potatoes, and of course: veggies!

Team members dove into the the aqua theme — donning bright, creature costumes including shark, octopus, starfish, and more: