Catering

While all of the initial reception centres in Austria and Germany have large, centrally managed canteen kitchens and dining halls enabling us to prepare all meals centrally (“full board“, residential refugee facilities (longterm housing) in most cases supports individual cooking.

Full Board

We are fully aware that the central preparation of food is only the “second best“ option. In order to compensate for some of the disadvantages of central cooking, we would like to familiarise you with a few of our policies:

• European Homecare acknowledges the fact that all residents must have access to healthy meals several times a day. Menu plans are developed by trained staff and under medical supervision.


• Ethnic adaptation - while we consider it impossible to prepare national/traditional dishes for every nationality represented every day, we are fully aware that residents must have a chance to use spices/herbs of their own choice to adjust the flavour of their meals. In order to avoid conflicts which are rooted in religious rules we will not use pork at all (if supported by contracting authority). According to our experience any confusion about what meat is being used can be stopped far more easily, when such a “ban” is in place. Nevertheless, our menus will always offer a vegetarian option as one of the menu choices. An early breakfast and late evening meal will be offered during the fasting of Ramadan.


• Special dietary adaptation for certain groups (on doctor‘s orders): EHC will produce a menu that will always include “lighter” meals to be suitable to older and/or sick residents. Residents with specific dietary/medical requirements will be asked to bring their needs to the attention of kitchen staff who prepare appropriate meals.


• Special food is made available to babies, infants and other special groups.


• “All-You-Can-Eat” service - it is our utmost goal to ensure that residents in accommodations centres never leave the dining hall hungry. We have therefore introduced  an “all-you-can-eat“ policy.

 
HACCP

Next to our quality management program European Homecare has introduced a food safety management program at our current operations.
EHC will ensure that the principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) in accordance with the European Community (Hygiene of Foodstuff) Regulations, 2000 are put in place.

Kiosk - Shop

In accordance with our contracting authorities European Homecare operates small shops in accommodation centres where there is limited access to external shopping opportunities. Items on sale are approved by the local departments/ministries and price levels reflect the regional levels. All our shops are operated under a strict not-for-profit basis.