Graduate Certificate in Food and Nutrition Management

Georgian College

Students are prepared to manage a food services department while adhering to professional standards, quality management programs, nutritional and healthy living principles and marketing and promotional activities. In addition, graduates are able to employ a number of more complex functions supporting organizational effectiveness including supporting the design of food and nutrition human resource plan, financial analysis and control, and collaborating in the preparation of an organization’s business plan or client care plan. Students apply research competencies to the assessment, analysis and problem solving with regard to nutritional needs and diagnoses.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• plan menus to accommodate the nutritional, dietary and medical needs, cultural and religious requirements, and personal preferences of clients;
• manage handling, preparation and service of food to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policies, procedures, and industry best practices for health, safety, sanitation, quality assurance and client satisfaction;
• manage nutritional needs of diverse clients in health care and other food service settings in collaboration with or under the direction of health care professionals;
• support others to work professionally and ethically in accordance with industry, organization and legal standards;
• monitor relevant local, national and global trends, emerging technologies, changes to legislation and best practices to enhance work performance that may impact the management and delivery of food and nutrition services;
• deliver customer service that anticipates, meets and/or exceeds individual expectations and is consistent with organization standards and objectives;
• contribute to the hiring, coaching, training, scheduling, supervision and performance management of department staff in accordance with human resources, labour relations, workplace health and safety, and industry best practices;
• apply industry best practices, financial constraints, and principles of social responsibility and environmental sustainability to inventory management and procurement of goods and services;
• contribute to the analysis of food and nutrition services and operations, and the implementation and evaluation of changes, to support continuous improvement;
• contribute to the planning and administration of budgets consistent with organization objectives and legal requirements for nutrition and food service departments;
• select and use information and industry-specific technologies to enhance individual work performance and the management and delivery of food and nutrition services;
• promote food and nutrition services and healthy living to support marketing plans and the general well-being of clients;
• apply basic entrepreneurial strategies when considering new business opportunities within the hospitality and tourism industry.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are capable of managing various areas of nutritional care, food preparation, and food service. Successful graduates may choose to follow career paths in health care, retirement homes, long term care facilities, fitness and wellness facilities, educational institutions, camps, daycare facilities, and community or commercial settings.

External Recognition

This program follows the competencies of the Canadian Society of Nutrition Management (CSNM).

Work Integrated Learning: 2 Field Placements