July 1, 2005

Fun in the sun: MGHers enjoy annual summer picnic

Despite the heat and humidity, MGH employees were treated to a well-deserved break at the annual summer picnic June 29, hosted by Peter L. Slavin, MD, president of the MGH. Employees, staff and volunteers enjoyed a picnic-style lunch provided by MGH Nutrition and Food Services, as well as carnival games and the tropical music of the Volume II Steel Band. But the main attraction was a special visit by Tedy Bruschi (right) of the New England Patriots, who graciously shook hands and posed for photos with MGH fans.

While the picnic started at 11:30 am for day-shift employees and at 10 pm for evening- and night-shift staff, the food preparations started bright and early for the dedicated staff of MGH Nutrition and Food Services, who began at 4 am and worked feverishly until serving time to make sure that all 9,600 boxed lunches were ready.

The lunches included barbequed chicken sandwiches, potato salad, green beans, nectarines and cherry tomatoes or a vegetarian selection of cheese tortellini salad with spinach. Lemonade, sports bars, ice cream sandwiches and sugar-free popsicles also were on hand. According to Lorraine Allan, RD, of Nutrition and Food Services, it takes a lot of supplies to make enough food for such a large, hungry crowd, including the following: 5,500 chicken breasts; 960 pounds of cheese tortellini; 700 pounds of tossed salad; 624 heads of green leaf lettuce; 680 pounds of green beans; 10,920 cherry tomatoes; and 8,832 nectarines.