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Special Needs Caterer Receives Certification from Nassau County Department of Health

Written by Long Island News & PR  |  02. November 2016

Old Bethpage, NY - October 31, 2016 - Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) is proud to announce that their affirmative business, Terry’s Café, has received its certification from the Nassau County Department of Health and passed inspection with a perfect score.  Terry’s Café is a full-service catering outfit that operates out of FREE’s Old Bethpage facility.  They employ special needs individuals who are interested in a career in the food service industry, and are trained on how a commercial kitchen operates. Participants have the opportunity to learn all aspects of the business.  This certification will now allow them to provide “take-out” orders to the outside community. To obtain a copy of its menu or to place an order, Terry’s Café can be reached at 516-970-1789.


Pictured: Terry's Cafe staff member, Katie, of East Northport, helps take orders.

“We are thrilled that Terry’s Café can now operate in the same fashion as any other catering service.  With October being National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we think it’s an important time to highlight the opportunities this certification will provide to the individuals we support and employ,” said Robert S. Budd, CEO of FREE.  Mr. Budd continued, “The community needs to realize that #InclusionWorks is not just a slogan but a way for individuals with special needs to become independent, productive members of society.”

Terry’s Café serves breakfast and lunch daily to FREE’s Bethpage headquarters.  In preparation for their expansion in service they have upgraded their facilities accordingly by purchasing a new and larger range to increase their efficiency and accommodate larger orders, installed a commercial high temperature dish washer, expanded their menu and have hired more staff.

Terry’s Café was also asked to take part in the grand opening of the new “Taste of Long Island” Welcome Center on the Long Island Expressway. It is a state of the art facility that will be visited by an estimated 8,000 people a year. Terry’s Café prepared turkey, lettuce, tomato, and Sigit Cheese (made fresh by a Long Island dairy farm, Mecox Bay Dairy, Bridgehampton) wraps and their famous chocolate chip cookies. They are currently available for sale at the Welcome Center.   

About Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc.
Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE), founded in 1977, benefits and proudly supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. It is the mission of FREE to assist individuals of all abilities realize their full potential. FREE provides a diverse array of supports and services including: housing; recovery services; transition to work; employment; day, community and family services; respite; crisis services; education and after school support; specialty health services; and advocacy. 

FREE also collaborates with a variety of diverse 501(c)(3) nonprofit partners on educational, vocational, rehabilitative and a myriad of other creative initiatives to enhance the local communities and the lives of more than 25,000 people that reside within them. Each of the valued partners of the Family of FREE Network have a unique mission, vision and strategic goals that are aligned in purpose, and embody the spirit of the meaningful work we do every day. For more information, please call 516-870-7000 or visit www.familyres.org.

About Terry’s Café
Terry’s Café is one of FREE’s Affirmative Businesses providing full service catering. Individuals served within the FREE Network are provided with the unique opportunity to work and train in actual business settings.

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