Few things bring people together quite like food that reflects the cultures and traditions of a community.
A Celebration of Food, Culture, and Community
For the first time, Morrison Healthcare and Northern Light Health hosted a multicultural food festival at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine, transforming the hospital café into a vibrant celebration of global cuisine and community connection. Nearly 2,000 people attended the event, including hospital leaders, employees, patients, and guests.
Strengthening a Growing Partnership
The festival marked a meaningful milestone in the growing partnership between Morrison and Northern Light Health, following Morrison’s transition as the hospital’s food and nutrition provider in January 2025.
“We flipped all six stations in the café and turned it into the biggest and most successful event in our partnership,” said Amber Gard, Morrison’s Regional Vice President of Operations. “It’s the busiest I’ve ever seen our café. Bringing our community into our café and highlighting our cultural preferences is always a good way to bring our two organizations together.”
Bringing Global Flavors to the Hospital Café
Held in April, the event featured dishes representing six different countries and regions, including quesadillas from Mexico, specialty sushi rolls from Japan, pasta bakes and cannoli from Italy, Lebanese cuisine, Philly steak and cheese subs from the United States, and Maine’s iconic fluffernutter sandwiches made with peanut butter and marshmallow crème.
Collaboration Behind the Event’s Success
The festival was organized by the “Celebrating Our Communities Through Food” committee, a collaborative group of Morrison and hospital leaders dedicated to creating engaging food-focused experiences. Kara McCarthy Casey, the hospital’s director of food service programs, first proposed the idea, and the committee spent four months bringing the vision to life.
Gard also partnered closely with hospital leadership throughout the planning process, including Marwa Hassanien, Vice President of Community Engagement and Belonging, who welcomed attendees and spoke with local media during the event. Alison Crawford, Eastern Maine Medical Center’s onsite director, joined the festivities by distributing food samples to guests.
Morrison Associates Bring the Vision to Life
Behind the scenes, Morrison’s Food and Nutrition team, led by System Chef Michele D’Amario, spent the week preparing the featured menu items with support from Sous Chef Hannah Wagner and Gard.
On the day of the event, the hospital’s 109 Morrison associates gathered for a team huddle to review responsibilities and put the finishing touches on decorations throughout the café. Ava Collins, president of Eastern Maine Medical Center, also addressed the team to thank them for their work in making the event possible.
Creating New Opportunities for Community Engagement
The overwhelming response has already sparked conversations about future collaborations, including the possibility of hosting a National World Food Day celebration in October.
“So many people were impressed with the event that we are discussing holding a National World Food Day in October,” she says. “The partnership we have formed through this committee is helping us build the kind of relationship that is building a unique relationship that benefits the hospital, our associates, and our patients.”
