Meet Travis

Travis Durham is the Manager of Food & Nutrition Services at Grove Park Home in Barrie, Ontario. He started his culinary journey as a cook achieving a diploma in Culinary Management. Travis continued his studies obtaining his Nutrition Manager designation. He is a member of the Canadian & Ontario Societies of Nutrition Management (CSNM/OSNM). Travis has challenged the normal practice of relying on single food brokers by shopping locally and negotiating wholesale pricing with producers and vendors. Through his passion and dedication of sourcing local, he believes that by promoting food first and providing fresh and local ingredients this will; improve the nutritional value and overall food quality in healthcare institutions, as well as stimulate the local economy.

Grove Park Home 

Grove Park Home (GPH) is a not-for-profit, charitable organization with 143 long-term care beds, with a 14 suite retirement wing and adult day program located in Barrie, Ontario. Our mission "to continuously provide excellent care in a secure enviornment with family and community support" guides our structure, routines and goals. We continue to live on the principles of our Christian heritage. Our foodservice operation is a large quantity kitchen with numerous dining areas in which the food is transported to. We serve a predominately elderly population requiring complex and long-term nursing care. The annual food service budget is $1.2 million.

 

 

Nourish Vision 

As a participating organization within the Nourish cohort, Grove Park Home will continuously improve the relationships with local food producers. Grove Park Home remains committed to buying and sourcing local produce and dairy products. However, will source a various amount of foods as access to more products improve. Grove Park Home has plans to produce food on campus by attempting small gardens and beekeeping activities. As the organization plans for a significant redevelopment construction project, opportunities for sustainable projects such as on-site greenhouses or live indoor gardens will be explored.

Local food procured by Grove Park Home in 2016

Local food procured by Grove Park Home in 2016

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