Feeding the HopeHealth Mission
A new café at the HopeHealth Medical Plaza in Florence, SC aims to help keep health on track with nutritious, affordable and tasty options.
Instantly recognizable in his black-trimmed gray chef’s jacket and matching toque (cap), Chef Adam Silverman serves up nutritious dishes at Tracks Café with a focus on flavor and affordability. Originally from half way between New York City and the Appalachian Mountains, he didn’t set out to create flavorful dishes. As an undergrad, he was an astrophysics major.
The HopeHealth director of food services’ shift from astronomical studies to a career in the culinary arts began long before his university days.
“I’ve always loved cooking and I got a job in a restaurant that turned out to be one of the top ten restaurants in Columbus, (Ohio),” said Silverman.
Working his way through the culinary industry, Silverman now brings his “as fresh as possible” mentality – one of his guiding principles – to Tracks Café. Silverman stays true to his passion for “funky, jazzy foods” that are affordable, tasty, nutritious, and sourced as locally as possible.
“If I can buy something within an hour of Florence, I know the food is going to be a lot fresher,” said Silverman. “Economically, it’s also keeping money here in the Pee Dee.”
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Located inside the HopeHealth Medical Plaza on North Irby Street, proceeds from the culinary venture also stay very local; café profits will benefit programs and services for HopeHealth patients. Silverman also works with the HopeHealth Diabetes and Nutrition Center to benefit patients by highlighting dietitian-recommended menu items.
“We really want to use Tracks Café to educate the community that you can eat nutritious food and still have it taste good and not cost an arm and a leg,” said Silverman.
“We really want to use Tracks Café to educate the community that you can eat nutritious food and still have it taste good and not cost an arm and a leg,”
-Adam Silverman, HopeHealth Director of Food Services
Anita Longan, a registered dietitian and nutritionist with HopeHealth, said the collaboration also allows for future on-site classes to reinforce HopeHealth’s diabetes and nutrition programs.
“To share with people that you can fix (meals) that are affordable but healthy and taste good is going to be a fun way to learn about nutrition and how your food choices impact your health,” said Longan. “Hands-on demonstrations (at the café) will give a sense of control and confidence so people can go home and prepare meals for their families that are affordable, delicious, and healthy – and that fit into peoples’ lifestyles.”
With options from grab-and-go items to full entrees, the Tracks Café menu includes regional favorites, a unique take on a traditional club sandwich, and vegetarian-friendly items like vegetarian chili and Korean barbecued tofu (pictured above).
Tracks Café is open to the public for breakfast and lunch. The café has its own entrance at the rear of HopeHealth Medical Plaza and is open from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visit www.tracks.cafe for menu items and prices.
