As part of a collaboration between The Salad Station and Silicon Valley-based food robotics company, Chowbotics, Louisiana’s first and only salad robot debuted at North Oaks Medical Center on Monday, March 4. By utilizing Sally the Robot’s patented technology, The Salad Station is able to expand its footprint by offering local, seasonal salads beyond its brick-and-mortar locations, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Chowbotics recently announced a similar partnership with French multinational plant-based food company, Bonduelle.
Located just outside the cafeteria and available after-hours, Sally benefits patients, visitors, and more than 2,600 North Oaks Medical Center employees, especially those who work through the night. Customers who enjoy building their own creations at The Salad Station can recreate the experience with Sally by crafting custom salads from any combination of up to 22 ingredients. Users can fine-tune the calorie total by adding or subtracting ingredients, as well as view full nutritional details for each recipe. The robot also features several pre-programmed recipes from The Salad Station including the Strawberry Spinach Salad and the Louisiana Farmer’s Salad. The Salad Station plans to regularly sub-in seasonal ingredients, spicing up staples like spinach and roasted chicken with fruits and vegetables from local farms.
“The Salad Station is built on fresh produce and fast service,” says Scott Henderson, founder and president. “We’re excited to introduce Sally the Robot, a new and innovative way to order Louisiana’s favorite salads.”
Sally reduces the risk of foodborne illness, as ingredients are kept sanitary and separate. Each of Sally’s ingredients is replenished on a regular basis and contained within the robot, greatly reducing the potential for contamination.
“We’re thrilled to help Scott and the team at The Salad Station expand the availability of their salads beyond the store level,” says Dr. Deepak Sekar, founder and CEO of Chowbotics. “Sally brings nourishment day and night to those visiting or working at North Oaks Medical Center as well as the Hammond community at large.”