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UK hospital launches kosher food vending machine
Jewish chaplain Rabby Alby Chait: 'This is about far more than just food. It’s about ensuring every member of our community feels seen, valued and welcomed into an NHS hospital'
The Jewish chaplain of an NHS teaching hospital in Leeds has welcomed the launch of one of the UK’s only 24-hour kosher vending machines.
Among the offerings on sale to to patients, staff and visitors is Shepherds pie and veggie schnitzel.
Rabbi Alby Chait said: “I couldn’t be prouder to see this become a reality,” adding that the provision at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, which treats an estimated 1.8 million patients every year, is also currently available at St James’ (one of the largest hospitals in Europe) and will soon follow in the Leeds General Infirmary.
Chait thanked “everyone at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust who embraced this idea and who have worked so hard to make this happen, especially Rochelle Wilder, chair of the Jewish Network, whose support and commitment helped bring this vision to life and the wonderful assistance of our Kosher caterers Hermolis.”
Dr. Rochelle Wilder, chair of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust Jewish Network said: “This means more than just the provision of kosher food for our community. Just knowing it’s available means the world to us. People are genuinely excited about this. Having spoken to the executive teams of the Trust, I know they really are committed to full inclusion of all their patients and staff. This is a small but really significant step and one of which I’m very proud.”
Noting that he’d had a number of messages from medical facilities across the UK looking to replicate the initiative, Rabbi Chait added: “This is about far more than just food. It’s about dignity, inclusion and ensuring that every member of our community feels seen, valued and welcomed into an NHS hospital.”
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