Food service and nutrition management is a cornerstone of care in healthcare, and the need for skilled, knowledgeable leaders in this space has never been more important. Whether it’s nourishing patients, supporting clinical teams, or keeping operations safe and efficient, food service leaders play a crucial role in shaping the experience and outcomes of care across the Canadian health system.
To help meet the growing complexity of this vital work, CHA Learning is proud to announce the newly revised and restructured Food Service and Nutrition Management in Healthcare (FSNM) Program is open for enrolment.
This isn’t just a program refresh, it’s a full transformation designed for today’s healthcare environment, and for the food service and nutrition management leaders who will shape its future.
What’s New
The FSNM Program has been extensively revised and enhanced to reflect the realities, challenges, and leadership demands of today’s healthcare settings. With insight and input from healthcare employers, leaders, students, and practitioners, the revised curriculum is even more aligned with the needs of both healthcare professionals and their organizations.
Built around a new structure of 12 short, fully online courses, the updated program offers greater flexibility for today’s busy professionals. Each course can be completed in as little as four months, allowing learners to manage their studies alongside their work and personal commitments. With a pay-per-course model, students can further tailor the pace and timing of their learning to fit their individual needs.
Whether building on existing experience or preparing to step into a leadership role, learners in the FSNM Program gain the knowledge, skills, and applied learning opportunities essential for success in healthcare food service management.
Key enhancements include:
- A deeper focus on leadership development, care planning, and people-centred care
- Expanded virtual engagement with expert healthcare faculty
- Courses designed to connect food service operations directly to patient and resident outcomes
- Improved structure to support flexibility, work-life balance, self-paced learning and affordability
- Four field placements (75 hours each) to build practical skills and professional networks
The program also remains fully accredited by the Canadian Society of Nutrition Management (CSNM), a hallmark of quality and professional recognition in the field. Graduates of the program are immediately eligible for Canadian Society of Nutrition Management (CSNM) active membership.
A Program Designed by Healthcare Professionals for Healthcare Professionals
Rooted in the realities of healthcare leadership, the FSNM Program reflects the priorities, challenges, and opportunities faced by today’s food service and nutrition management professionals. Designed with a deep understanding of the sector’s evolving demands, the program offers maximum flexibility without compromising quality.
Through self-paced, fully online learning, students can complete the full program in as little as 18 months or extend their studies up to a maximum of four years to accommodate their personal and professional commitments.
Each course is supported by a range of learning tools and resources designed to enhance the online experience. Across the program, students engage with interactive content, complete practical assignments and self-assessments, and have opportunities for scheduled virtual interaction with expert faculty, ensuring consistent support throughout the program. With flexible enrolment and a pay-per-course model, the FSNM Program remains one of the most accessible and affordable pathways in Canada for advancing leadership in healthcare food service and nutrition management.
Who Should Take This Program?
The FSNM Program is designed for individuals who are ready to advance their careers in healthcare food service leadership. Ideal candidates include:
- Food service workers in long-term care, hospitals, or residential care
- Supervisors and team leads seeking to transition into formal leadership roles
- Professionals working in correctional, educational, or other institutional settings
- Those with prior experience in food service or healthcare who are seeking new opportunities for growth and those looking to change their careers.
Students enter the program from a wide range of backgrounds and workplaces, but all share a common commitment: to lead, to serve, and to help shape the future of care through excellence in food service and nutrition management.
A Closer look at the Curriculum
The FSNM Program includes 12 short courses and four field placements, delivering the competencies critical in managing and leading food service operations effectively within a healthcare setting.
Courses include:
- Leadership and Professional Practice
- Communications for Managers
- Human Resource Management
- Financial Management
- People-Centred Food Service
- Food Service Systems and Operations Management
- Safety and Emergency Preparedness
- Introduction to Nutrition
- Clinical Nutrition and Therapeutic Considerations
- Nutrition Screening and Care Planning
- Menu Planning and Quantity Food Production
- Quality and Risk Management
Through this comprehensive curriculum, students gain the practical knowledge and leadership skills needed to contribute meaningfully to patient and resident care, support healthcare teams, and lead change within complex care environments.
View Full Program Curriculum
Why Choose CHA Learning?
With more than 50 years of experience in developing healthcare food service professionals, CHA Learning is a trusted leader in advancing food service and nutrition management in healthcare. The FSNM Program is taught and supported by an expert faculty comprising seasoned healthcare professionals, registered dietitians, and CSNM-certified leaders, who bring extensive field experience and applied knowledge to the learning environment.
As a not-for-profit corporation and registered healthcare charity dedicated to empowering health professionals with the knowledge, skills, and relationships to lead system improvement, CHA Learning is built on strong connections to the healthcare community. We work closely with HealthCareCAN members, employers, subject matter experts, and advisory committees to listen, learn, and ensure our programs stay practical, relevant, and aligned with the realities of healthcare today. Thanks to this ongoing engagement, we’re able to keep evolving alongside the needs of healthcare providers, delivering learning that makes a difference where it matters most.
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Ready to Start? Or Know Someone Who Should?
Leadership in food service and nutrition management is more than a role. It is a critical contribution to the healthcare system. Whether you are ready to advance professionally or looking to support the leadership development of a colleague, now is the time to invest in the future of care.
Have questions? We’re here to help. Contact the Food Service and Nutrition Management in Healthcare team at FSNMProgram@healthcarecan.ca