- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- AppreciationCareersFood
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Week starting with the 1st Monday of February
- Holiday emoji:
- 👩‍🍳
Pride in Foodservice Week celebrates the vital contributions of food and nutrition professionals every first full week of February. This annual observance, initiated by the Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals, shines a light on the hard work and dedication of those who ensure healthy and delicious meals in various settings. Show your appreciation, recognize their commitment, and learn more about their impact.
Want to sponsor Pride in Foodservice Week? Learn how
History of Pride in Foodservice Week
Pride in Foodservice Week aims to celebrate the effort and impact of the group of service providers who seek to care for us in more ways than one: Food and nutrition professionals.
The day is observed each year from the first Monday in February. It was initiated by the Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals, a nationwide body of over 30 years that started first as Hospital, Institution, and Educational Food Service Society in 1960, then Dietary Managers Association in the 1980s, and finally its current name in 2012.
Pride in Foodservice Week is a great way to help dietary managers and foodservice teams connect and strengthen their love for the work they do. 2020 marked the 30th anniversary of Pride in Foodservice Week and was celebrated from February 3 to 7 to recognize all the amazing and hardworking food service staff at facilities across the U.S who are helping to make a difference in food service delivery.
The 2020 edition is also considered to be perhaps the most important one ever with the impact of the viral pandemic on food delivery and how it prompted increased safety and sanitation protocols among many other changes that required the additional effort of foodservice professionals to keep everyone safe and healthy.
Pride in Foodservice Week timeline
Foodservice workers form the group that becomes the predecessor of the organization that initiates Pride in Foodservice Week.
The organization’s members vote to change the name to Dietary Managers Association (D.M.A.).
The move makes easier access to information for organization members.
The name changes to the Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals (A.N.F.P.).
Pride in Foodservice Week FAQs
When is Pride in Foodservice Week?
In 2027, this important week of recognition takes place Monday, February 1 through Friday, February 5, celebrating those who nourish our communities.
How many people work in the foodservice industry?
With a robust workforce, the foodservice sector continues to be a major employer in the U.S. The latest figures indicate approximately 12.5 million individuals contribute their skills to this vital industry.
What is the economic impact of the foodservice industry?
Fueling economic growth, the foodservice sector is a powerhouse. Projections for 2027 estimate that the industry’s total sales will exceed $1.1 trillion, highlighting its immense financial contribution.
What is the Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals (ANFP)?
ANFP, established in 1960, is dedicated to advancing the profession of nutrition and foodservice. It supports its members through certification, continuing education, and a strong professional community.
Pride in Foodservice Week Activities
Buy them a thank you meal
A simple thank you and a small act of appreciation go a long way. And celebrating Pride in Foodservice Week would usually mean buying a thank-you meal for the food service workers from your favorite restaurants. For food business owners, nothing beats writing personalized thank you notes or sharing a giant meal with your entire team as an act of appreciation.
Tip them
TIpping remains an important equalizer of the usually below-average wages most food service workers earn. So if you find yourself in a restaurant during Pride in Foodservice Week, showing an unusually generous appreciation for their service through your tip will be appreciated.
Spread positivity
For foodies and owners of eateries, ensuring workers know that you recognize their hard work and dedication and appreciate it is another good way to celebrate the holiday. You can surprise them with gifts or by sharing a story that highlights a situation in the past where you grew an even deeper appreciation for their service.
5 Facts You Should Know About The Association Of Nutrition And Foodservice Professionals
It is a non-profit organization
The Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals has been a non-profit organization serving its communities all over the United States since the early 1960s.
It started over three decades ago
Pride in Foodservice Week was first initiated in 1991 and is sponsored by the Association of Nutrition and Foodservice Professionals.
A.N.F.P. has a flagship textbook
In 2007, the Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals launched its flagship textbook.
A.N.F.P. has over 14,000 professionals
As of 2021, the A.N.F.P. reports that it has over 14,000 professionals dedicated to the practice of providing nutritional care in its network.
Encompassing
According to the A.N.F.P., the organization’s name change from Dietary Managers Association was to “accurately represent the entire scope of members’ responsibilities. ”
Why We Love Pride in Foodservice Week
It makes foodservice workers know they’re important
How much more crucial can a service provider get than the ones who feed us? Chefs and waiters and all the other things behind the scenes are responsible for serving us healthy and nutritious meals. There’s no better way to celebrate them than a dedicated holiday to make them feel special.
It highlights foodservice workers’ plights
One of the purposes of Pride in Foodservice Week is to reflect and work on the things that need to be changed in the foodservice delivery chain and make everyone work better. Pride in Foodservice Week serves as a time to drive those changes.
It helps drive regulatory support
Legislative actions are important. The idea behind Pride in Foodservice Week is to highlight the challenges that several stakeholders in the food and nutrition industries face and hopefully garner government support to make important policies to address them.
Pride in Foodservice Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | February 3–7 | Monday–Friday |
| 2026 | February 2–6 | Monday–Friday |
| 2027 | February 1–5 | Monday–Friday |
| 2028 | February 7–11 | Monday–Friday |
| 2029 | February 5–9 | Monday–Friday |
