By Noel Le, RDN and Hannah Hedde, MS, RDN, Torrance Memorial Clinical Dietitians
March is National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme, Food Connects Us, highlights the significant role that food plays in bringing people together, celebrating cultures, and addressing pressing challenges like food insecurity. At Torrance Memorial Medical Center, we are proud to embrace this theme and share how our hospital fosters these meaningful connections.
To bring this theme to life, Torrance Memorial is highlighting stories from our employees. Andrew Lee, director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, shares how food is a love language in his family. Dishes like yukgaejang (Korean spicy beef soup) bring back cherished memories of his parents and grandparents preparing it during special occasions or times of need.
“It’s not just about the meal itself—it's about the care, tradition, and connection behind it. Every time my family makes it now, I feel the same love and strength from my family,” Andrew shares.
He also recalls making mandu (dumplings) with his family, where the joy wasn’t just in the final dish but in the laughter, stories, and togetherness shared in the preparation process.
Stories like Andrew’s illustrate how food strengthens relationships and deepens our understanding of one another. As Andrew explains, “Sharing a dish from another culture isn’t just about tasting something new—it's about experiencing someone’s story, traditions, and values.” There are many more stories similar to Andrew’s, and we invite you to hear them in a short video clip at the end of this blog where Torrance Memorial employees reflect on how food connects them to their family, heritage, and traditions. Join the conversation by sharing your own food memories with our community.
At Torrance Memorial, we celebrate the rich tapestry of diverse cultures, ethnicities, and races represented in the South Bay and encourage our patients to embrace their cultural foods as part of a balanced diet. We understand the importance of honoring cultural and ethnic traditions while promoting health and wellness. Our team of registered dietitians works closely with patients to incorporate cultural foods into their nutrition plans, demonstrating that balanced eating doesn’t mean giving up cherished dishes.
Our hospital cafes, led by Executive Chef Sam Sellona, further celebrate cultural diversity through food. Chef Sam is passionate about experimenting with global flavors and frequently introduces cultural dishes to our menu, giving staff, patients, and visitors the chance to experience tastes from around the world. Whether it’s a comforting bowl of pozole, a flavorful curry, or a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired salad, the Food and Nutrition Services team at Torrance Memorial hopes to inspire others to celebrate diversity through food, one meal at a time.
This March, we invite you to connect with food in a meaningful way by exploring new ingredients and cooking methods, sampling global flavors, and sharing meals with friends and family. Whether you’re trying a new recipe in your kitchen or enjoying a dish from our cafes, you’ll not only expand your culinary horizons but also deepen your connections to the cultures and traditions that shape the way we eat.
Food is at the heart of culture, community, and connection, and at Torrance Memorial, we are proud to celebrate its power to bring people together. More than just sustenance, food is a shared experience that unites us all. As we embrace this year’s National Nutrition Month theme, Food Connects Us, we invite you to reflect on the role food plays in your life and join us in building a community where everyone has the opportunity to enjoy nourishing and meaningful meals.
For questions or to learn more about building a healthy lifestyle, contact our registered dietitian nutritionists at the Medical Nutrition Therapy or Diabetes Self-Management programs in the Torrance Memorial Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Center, 2841 Lomita Blvd., Suite 335. Call 310-891-6707 or visit TorranceMemorial.org/nutrition for information on upcoming classes and programs or to schedule an appointment.
