We’re launching a new client choice model, giving clients the ability to select their preferred meals from our weekly menu, while still receiving the medically tailored nutrition their health care treatment plans require.

Until now, MANNA clients had limited ability to choose their meals, with a standard three-week menu cycle which allowed for three additional diet modifications upon the client’s request. Modifications were based on dietary needs (e.g. kidney friendly, low lactose, low fiber) and some amount of diet or cultural preferences, such as vegetarian or pork-free meals.

In response to client feedback, we created a new client meal choice model to address the diverse preferences – including cultural, religious, and taste – as well as the health needs of individuals living with chronic illnesses.

“For more than 30 years, MANNA has been committed to delivering nourishment with compassion and integrity,” said MANNA CEO Sue Daugherty, RDN, LDN. “Client meal choice is the next step in that journey. Our IT and operations teams worked for more than a year to design a program that provides our clients the ability to choose their meals, which not only offers them more variety and control of the meals that they receive, but empowers our clients to engage more fully in their care and adhere more closely to their nutritional plans.”

The client choice rollout will occur in phases, starting this month and beginning with just the dinner entrees for a pilot client group, to allow for our operations team to fully integrate this new program offering. Over the next year, the program will be offered to all clients allowing them to choose their breakfast, lunch, and dinner entrees.

“Being able to choose my own meals means a great deal to me,” said MANNA client Lewis Lee. “I’ve been enjoying the meals for quite some time now, and it’s been a big help to me as far as managing my nutrition and helping me lose weight. Now, choosing my own meals gives me something to look forward to from week to week, and it makes me feel at ease knowing I have meals coming that I enjoy.”

We designed a user-friendly online portal for clients, where they will select from more than 20 options of dinner entrees each week. The site will also provide a photo of each meal, along with a brief description of the item and the nutritional information. If needed, the Nutrition & Clients Services department will be available to assist clients with making their menu selections using the new technology.

This new client choice model launches on the heels of our recent vegetarian menu addition, which delivers plant-based protein options as well as a variety of whole-grains and vegetables. Our vegetarian menu, among the 12 diet modifications we offer, is also “halal-friendly” and seeks to accommodate the cultural and religious preferences of our clients.

We also have the ability to layer up to three diet modifications to each client’s meals; these modifications include: low lactose, low fiber/mild spice, kidney friendly, no seafood, no beef, no pork, mechanical soft, pureed, high calorie or high protein, and children’s meals. With the ability to layer the diet modifications and offer client choice, MANNA clients have an even more personalized experience and can better manage their chronic illnesses.