From heavy, inflexible trolley systems to a more adaptable and efficient workflow — Diakoniedorf Herzogsägmühle has rethought how meals are transported, portioned, and served. The result is less waste, greater flexibility, and more consistent quality across the entire care environment.
At Herzogsägmühle, a social care center operated by Diakonie Munich and Upper Bavaria, meals are prepared centrally and transported across a large campus. These meals are then delivered to a variety of facilities, such as disability support services, nursing care centers, and residential group homes.
Here, meals are more than nutrition. They are part of daily structure, care, and quality of life.
During transport, maintaining the right temperature is critical — not too high, not too low — to ensure quality is preserved until serving.
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How we help change the workflow at Herzosägmühle
Previously, the kitchen relied on large, heavy transport trolleys that were difficult to maneuver, required frequent maintenance, and lacked available spare parts — creating operational challenges and limiting future development.
At the same time, portioning requirements varied between the care takers. The fixed tray system that was used made it difficult to adapt portion sizes, often leading to unnecessary food waste.
To address these challenges, the kitchen staff initiated a new way of working.
Instead of delivering pre-portioned trays, meals are now transported in bulk containers and portioned at the point of service. This approach allows portion sizes to be adjusted according to individual needs, reducing food waste while enhancing the overall dining experience.
To support this way of working, temperature-controlled transport units from ScanBox were introduced. Making it possible to redesign kitchen logistics, making it more flexible moth in transport and daily handling.
This allowed for a setup where cooking, transport, and serving are more closely connected.
The ScanBox units reach operating temperature within approximately 30–40 minutes and maintain stable temperatures throughout transport—ensuring both food safety and quality. Compared to the previous setup, the ScanBox units are smaller, easier to handle and can be adapted to different volumes, whether serving a small group or a larger number of residents. This makes daily operations more manageable without adding complexity.
At Herzogsägmühle, meals are an integral part of daily care. They help create structure, support independence, and contribute to overall well-being.
By ensuring that food arrives at the right temperature, at the right time, and can be adapted to individual needs, the meal becomes a more consistent and reliable part of everyday life — for both residents and staff.
The transition was carried out step by step, starting with around 120 meals and gradually expanding over time.
The solution was implemented in collaboration with ScanBox partner Großküchentechnik GmbH G. Schwarzbäcker and adapted to fit existing kitchen workflows and logistics.
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ScanBox at Herzogsägmühle
Thoughtfully designed boxes for hot or cold food holding and efficient transport. Ideal for kitchens with limited space and frequent deliveries.
