Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) has announced a plan to reduce costs with some of its in-house services.
The Windsor hospital announced on Tuesday that, as part of an effort to plan for long-term stability, its Courtyard Cafe in the Tayfour Building will close at the end of the day on Friday, December 12.
In a statement provided to WindsorNewsToday.ca, HDGH President and CEO Bill Marra called the decision "extremely difficult".
"The HDGH-operated cafeterias continue to be subsidized by HDGH at a significant cost annually, and equipment in the cafeterias is at or near the end of life and costly to replace," said Marra. "Finally, the limited cafeteria hours and closures on weekends and holidays present a gap in service for employees and visitors."
Marra added that the move will allow employees in the Food and Nutrition Services department to shift away from retail and concentrate on providing meals directly to clients and patients.
The Courtyard Cafe will be transformed, at no cost to the hospital, into a self-serve Micro Market, which will be open 24 hours a day.
HDGH is teaming up with Krave Markets, a locally-based vending company that will provide the space with fresh and healthy food, snacks, and beverages, some of which will be produced by local businesses.
Marra said that once the Micro Market is open, HDGH will close the In Honour Cafe in the Emara Building. Food and nutrition services in that facility will be adapted at a later date.
