'Food is love': Why this South Jersey hospital cafeteria is a Facebook sensation
Hospital food may not strike most as a top dining option, but, for one anonymous poster in the South Jersey Food Scene Facebook group, Virtua Voorhees is a favorite lunch time destination.
And over one thousand people seem to agree.
"Please don't judge me, but I like to eat lunch at Virtua Hospital in Voorhees," the anonymous poster wrote on Nov. 3. "They have the best sushi, and it's cheap."
Since then, over 750 comments have collected under the post, many plotting their own lunch time trip to test out this judgement and even agreeing with photos of their favorite meals.
"My daughter was in the NICU for a month and my family lived for their taco Tuesday," one commenter wrote.
"I would have another child to eat here again," joked another.
Well, it looks like they won't have to go that far.
According to the hospital's dining staff, and perhaps to the shock of some, the Virtua Voorhees cafeteria has always had an open policy when it comes to the public coming in for a meal; Executive Chef John Branella said that people even stop in for date night.
After all of the love and attention the post received, Virtua responded.
"We see you. We love you. And we appreciate the kind words," the hospital wrote in a Facebook post filled with photos of their staff that received over two thousand reactions.
The anonymous poster, Facebook user Mo Rich, later posted a reel to the group identifying herself, documenting her visit to the cafeteria's sushi station, expressing her gratitude for the reaction her post received and jokingly asking, "Now who wants to plan a lunch day?"
Olena Pikhotska, one of the cooks, said that the recognition made her feel important, emphasizing the hard work that she puts into each meal she creates.
The love and support being shown on social media has not been lost on the Virtua staff.
Brenda DiVirgilio, the cafeteria's dietary manager, has worked at the hospital for a decade and said that while food service can be a tough industry, especially after the pandemic, reactions like these are what "really makes it all seem worth it."
It was explained to DiVirgilio early on in her career what a special role hospital food service workers play, seeing people on their best and worst days and never forgetting that they could be serving someone's last meal.
"I've never taken that for granted," she said. "Food is love."
Now, she says, the care and intention her team shows in working and forming long-lasting connections with customers is evident.
Branella shared this sentiment, emphasizing the ways that everyone involved in Virtua Voorhees's food service "strive(s) for perfection."
"Everyone works and cooks with love and pride in their hearts," he said. "It shows in the end result."
How to visit the Virtua Voorhees cafeteria
The cafeteria at Virtua Voorhees is open to the public. Guests hoping to dine should park in the visitor lot of Neighborhood A in the hospital's complex, check in through Lobby A and request a cafeteria pass at the reception desk. The cafeteria is open to the public seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Kaitlyn McCormick writes about trending issues and community news across South Jersey for the Courier Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times. If you have a story she should tell, email her at kmccormick@gannett.com. And subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Hospital food at Virtua Voorhees a favorite of this SJ Facebook group
