Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
Offering Healthier Cafeteria & Kitchen Options for Patients, Staff & Visitors
Hospital Healthy Initiative Description
Mercy Medical Center is revamping its menu offerings to offer healthier options and help
patients on their road to recovery.
Fauquier Hospital has created an area food spot known as “Bistro on the Hill.” In
Warrenton, VA, the hospital cafeteria offers fresh food from its garden and healthy, tasty
menu options for patients, employees, visitors, and guests.
Fountain Valley Regional Hospital teamed up with a celebrity chef to create healthier
Asian menu items. A large portion of the hospital patients, workers, and visitors are Asian
and the hospital neighborhood offers a number of Asian markets that provides easy access
to purchasing featured menu items in household cooking.
Four Vanguard Health Hospitals in Chicago are working on phasing out certain beverages
that contain more than a teaspoon of sugar per 12 ounce serving. Some of these hospitals
have also removed deep fryers.
The Children’s Hospital in Lawrenceville, PA is working to improve their meal offerings
and to work more effectively with patients who are experiencing altered or lost appetites.
The hospital’s new restaurant style room service allows patients flexibility on what and
when they eat.
Two Daytona Beach Florida hospitals, Halifax Health Medical Center and Florida Hospital
Memorial Medical Center, are working to improve the foodservice style and nutritional
offerings in their cafés.
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Learn More
Gallagher T. Hospital turns ‘corner’ in food prep. Sioux
City Journal.com. June 20, 2012.
http://siouxcityjournal.com/article_48f9c9ba-52ba-5026b84d-0f877aecb3b5.html
Rovner J. Hospital food so fresh, even the healthy come
to dine. NPR. May 9, 2012.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/05/09/152355829/
hospital-food-so-fresh-even-the-healthy-come-to-dine
Kim A. Hospital gives its menu the celebrity treatment.
The Orange County Register. May 1, 2012.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/yan-352067-asianhospital.html
Eng M. Chicago hospital group to drop sugar-sweetened
drinks. Chicago Tribune. April 24, 2012.
http://heartofillinois.blogspot.com/2012/04/chicagohospital-group-to-drop-sugar.html
Loeffler W. Happy Meals: Chefs create “food
memories” for kids at Children’s. Pittsburgh Tribune
Review. April 17, 2012.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/lifestyles/
fooddrink/s_791683.html
Swisher S. Daytona hospitals offer gourmet dishes,
room service. The Daytona Beach News-Journal. April
15, 2012.
http://www.news-journalonline.com/business/localbusiness/2012/04/15/daytona-hospitals-offer-gourmetdishes-room-service.html
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
The Colorado Center for Health and Wellness on the University of Colorado Anschutz
Medical Campus in Aurora offers healthy choices in its sit-down, take-out, or catering
services. The culinary team worked with the hospital’s dietitians to promote healthy foods
and address the healthy food access challenges hospital staff were facing.
University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina partnered with their food service vendor to
start healthy Fridays at one of the 8 hospitals they operate in North Carolina. The efforts
grew to ensure all hospital shifts had access to healthy meal options every day. Their
heart-healthy café is 80% full of foods designated as heart healthy. A steering committee
is creating and monitoring policies and practices at all 8 hospitals. The health system is
working on a system wide health food policy.
St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, Montana has used consumer surveys to response to
consumer’s preferences for healthier offerings including a wider selection of fresh fruits
and vegetables in the entrée line and salad bar.
The Fairview Hospital in Massachusetts became one of the first hospitals to phase out
sugar-sweetened beverages on patient’s menus, cafeterias, and vending machines. The
hospital uses a room-service style program. The hospital’s catering team also stopped
serving soda and cookies at staff meetings and now offers filtered water, unsweetened ice
tea, and fresh fruit.
The Cleveland Clinic only serves 1% or fat-free milk and replaced their deep fryers with
ovens. The hospital has also stopped offering sugar-sweetened beverages. The have tried
to cut down on canned foods and increase fresh offerings. They are using citrus fruits to
cut down on the use of salt and other additives.
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IFT 2012
Craig B. Bistro offerings complement hospital’s mission
of health and wellness. QRSweb.com. April 10, 2012.
http://www.qsrweb.com/blog/7757/Bistro-offeringscomplement-hospital-s-mission-of-health-and-wellness
The United States Department of Health and Human
Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion Division of Nutrition, Physical
Activity, and Obesity. Issue 3: Healthy Hospital
Practice to Practice Series (P2P). CS227211-C.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/p2p/
P2P_Food_Issue3.pdf
The United States Department of Health and Human
Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion Division of Nutrition, Physical
Activity, and Obesity. Issue 3: Healthy Hospital
Practice to Practice Series (P2P). CS227211-C.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/p2p/
P2P_Food_Issue3.pdf
The United States Department of Health and Human
Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion Division of Nutrition, Physical
Activity, and Obesity. Issue 2: Healthy Hospital
Practice to Practice Series (P2P). CS227211-B.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/p2p/
P2P_Food_Issue2.pdf
The United States Department of Health and Human
Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion Division of Nutrition, Physical
Activity, and Obesity. Issue 1: Healthy Hospital
Practice to Practice Series (P2P). CS22721-A.
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
Good Shepherd Hospital in Hermiston, Oregon switched from tray line to menu style
service for their patients and increased the number of meals they prepared from scratch.
The menu offers more whole grain items and foods with lower sodium, trans fat, MSG,
and sodium.
Based on a RAND study published in the January/February edition of the medical journal
of Academic Pediatrics, the University of California Davis Medical Center offers above
average healthy offerings compared to 13 other California children’s hospitals. Other
media features focused on the lower scoring hospitals.
IFT 2012
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/p2p/
P2P_Food_Issue1.pdf
The United States Department of Health and Human
Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion Division of Nutrition, Physical
Activity, and Obesity. Issue 1: Healthy Hospital
Practice to Practice Series (P2P). CS22721-A.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/p2p/
P2P_Food_Issue1.pdf
Smith D. Med center cafeteria gets top rating for healthy
food. The Sacramento Bee. April 9, 2012.
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/07/4105105/hospitalcafeterias-fall-short.html
Mieszkowski K. At hospital, two signals on eating and
health. New York Times. December 16, 2011.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/16/health/nutrition/chil
drens-hospital-and-research-center-oakland-rankedlowest-in-food-health-study.html
Hobson K. Must hospital cafeteria food be healthful?
WSJ Health Blog. December 1, 2011.
The Cleveland Clinic has worked to improve its beverage offerings and eliminate trans fat
Gordon E. Fast food chains in cafeterias put hospitals in
from its campus. The Clinic is in a contract with McDonald’s and wants to reevaluate this a bind. The Salt: NPR. April 9, 2012.
relationship when the contract ends.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/04/05/150091951/
fast-food-chains-in-cafeterias-put-hospitals-in-a-bind
Eleven large hospital systems are helping push the healthy hospital initiative, including
Galewitz P. Hospitals urge peers to ditch fast food, turn
Kaiser Permanente, HCA Healthcare, and Boston-based Partners HealthCare. The
down the lights. KHN Kaiser Health News. April 3,
Initiative calls on hospitals to reduce energy use and waste, purchase more environmentally 2012.
friendly products, and serve healthier foods to patients and staff. No specific standards
http://capsules.kaiserhealthnews.org/index.php/2012/04/h
have been provided yet but the goal is to recruit more than 2,000 hospitals over the next
ospitals-urge-peers-to-ditch-fast-food-turn-down-thethree years.
lights/
3
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
The Wildflower Café at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital in Elmhurst, Illinois offers more
selections of healthier options and more cooked-to-order food. Similarly, the Top Deck
Cafeteria at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois offers a salad bar
with four types of lettuce and olive oil for dressing. Taste testing is occasionally used to
allow customers to sample new healthier fare items. Northwestern Memorial Hospital in
Chicago, Illinois Café 251 has also transitioned to more olive oil. Northwestern also tries
to use less canned items and an increased number of whole grain offerings.
During National Nutrition Month, St. Luke’s Magic Valley Hospital in Twin Falls, Idaho
added new healthier menu items and started their own fry-less Friday’s where they focus
on offering more baked items. The salad bar is also stacked with a lot more options.
Texas Health Plano in Plano, Texas introduced a new EatFit menu that offers employees
healthier options with a 30% discount, if selection options from the EatFit menu.
Rex Hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina eliminated all fried foods from its cafeteria and
patient menus and trained its food service staff to cook from scratch rather than use canned
or frozen foods. The transition to no fried foods will start with Fryerless Fridays. Duke
Hospital in Durham, North Carolina will not be installing fryers in new cafeterias as they
open. Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio eliminated trans fat in 2006 and then moved to
remove fried foods, whole milk, sugar-sweetened beverages, and high-fructose corn syrup.
The Clinic’s 8,000 employees have lost more than 260,000 pounds participating in this
initiative.
Kaiser Permanent’s Westside Medical Center in Portland, Oregon culinary team members
have been meeting with local restaurants to create healthy and tasty new dishes for the new
hospital building.
4
IFT 2012
Schwartz K. Healthy hospital cafeteria offerings step
beyond salad days. Chicago Tribune. March 21, 2012.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-03-21/health/ctx-0321-health-cafeteria-food-20120321_1_turkeyburgers-salad-bar-food-choices
St. Luke’s adapted new healthy menu items. KMVT-TV.
March 11, 2012.
http://www.kmvt.com/news/local/St-Lukes-AdaptingNew-Healthy--142283635.html (Video)
Carpenter B. Hospital Cafeteria dishes up healthy meals.
KDAF-TV. February 15, 2012.
http://www.the33tv.com/about/station/newsteam/kdaftexas-hospital-dishes-up-health-cafeteria-food-slashescalories-20120214,0,7770417.story (Video)
Weigl A. Rex Hospital to deep-six its deep fryers. News
& Observer. February 1, 2012.
http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/02/01/1820889/rexto-deep-six-its-deep-fryers.html
Fuller K. Chefs cook up health cuisine for new Kaiser
Permanente hospital. The Hillsboro Argus. January 29,
2012.
http://www.oregonlive.com/argus/index.ssf/2012/01/chef
s_cook_up_health_cuisine_f.html
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
Detroit Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan is improving the menu at its eight hospitals
and offering healthier vending options.
White River Medical Center in Batesville, Arkansas is challenging employees to a weightloss competition. The dietary department is offering counseling, working on menu health
improvements, and posting nutritional values.
Discussed a New York Time’s article on New York-Presbyterian Hospital’s Weill Cornell
Medical Center new extensive and healthy menu. Mount Sinai Medical Center has also
improved the quantity and quality of its healthier menu selections.
Hospitals throughout North Carolina are participating in the Red Apple Initiative, launched
by North Carolina Prevention Partners and North Carolina Hospital Association with the
support of the Duke Endowment. Through promotion, placement, pricing, and product
changes, hospitals are trying to make healthy living the easy choice for hospital employees.
St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, Montana won a national award for creatively increasing
whole grains into their food service operations.
St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson Hole, Wyoming will not be using its deep fryers for
one day a week and will be offering healthier alternatives such as baked entrees and
vegetables and fresh fruit.
Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana added a Subway to its campus.
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IFT 2012
Greene J. DMC cleans up cafeteria menu in quest for
healthier hospital culture. Crain’s Detroit Business.
January 16, 2012.
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20120116/HEALT
H/120119934/dmc-cleans-up-cafeteria-menu-in-questfor-healthier-hospital-culture#
Three Rivers Edition Staff. Hospital’s dietary
department issues weight-loss challenge to employees.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. January 16, 2012.
http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2011/jan/16/hospit
als-dietary-department-issues-weight-loss-ch/
Barclay E. Not your grandmother’s hospital food.
January 23, 2012.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/01/23/145659005/
not-your-grandmothers-hospital-food
Garloch K. Hospitals serve what they preach at meals.
The Charlotte Observer. December 26, 2011.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/12/26/2876817/
hospitals-serve-what-they-preach.html
KFBB News Team. St. Peter’s Hospital a winner in
whole grain challenge. KFBB. November 29, 2011.
http://www.kfbb.com/news/local/St-Peters-a-Winner-inWhole-Grain-Challenge-134713653.html (Video)
Whitehurst T. Hospital offers workers gift of holiday
health. Jackson Hole Daily. November 28, 2011.
http://www.jhnewsandguide.com/article.php?art_id=797
5
New Subway opens at Memorial Hospital. WNDU-TV.
November 12, 2011.
http://www.wndu.com/hometop/headlines/New_Subway
_restaurant_open_at_Memorial_Hospital_133747023.ht
ml
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
Lodi Memorial Hospital in Lodi, California offers restaurant-style meals and meals
cooked-from-scratch that are made to order.
Hospitals from across the state of Massachusetts competed in a healthy appetizer contest to
promote and encourage hospitals to serve healthier meals.
To offer healthier menu items, Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa has renovated
its kitchen equipment and gotten rid of its deep fryers.
Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster, Maryland offers more local foods to meet healthy
and sustainability goals.
Kenmore Mercy Hospital in Kenmore, New York has Meatless Mondays to promote
vegetarian options and providing vegetarian recipes to employees.
Swedish/Issaquah in Issaquah, Washington emphasizes its restaurant style equipment and
offerings to encourage employees, visitors, and patients to frequent the hospital café more
regularly.
6
IFT 2012
Bauserman P. Lodi Memorial Hospital pampers patients
with restaurant-style meals. Lodi News-Sentinel.
November 5, 2011.
http://www.lodinews.com/news/article_aa072ba4-b8465295-9579-e3db3b195706.html
Clark A. What’s cooking? Award-winning fare at
Southcoast hospitals. SouthCoastToday.com. November
3, 2011.
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AI
D=/20111103/NEWS/111030344/-1/NEWSMAP
Mercy Press Release: Mercy is first hospital in the
Corridor with fat fryer-free kitchen. October 27, 2011.
http://www.mercycare.org/news/2011/mercy-fat-fryerfree-kitchen/
Hailey C. Carroll Hospital Center receives award for
reducing carbon footprint. Carroll County Times.
October 11, 2011.
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/carrollhospital-center-receives-award-for-reducing-carbonfootprint/article_cc19854c-f381-11e0-8b43001cc4c002e0.html
Haynes D. Kenmore Mercy Hospital is going meatless
on Mondays. Tonawanda News. October 1, 2011.
http://tonawandanews.com/feature/x1953750208/Kenmore-MercyHospital-is-going-meatless-on-Mondays
Kagarise W. Café, not cafeteria, greet hospital diners.
IssaquahPress.com. September 27, 2011.
http://www.issaquahpress.com/2011/09/27/cafe-notcafeteria-greets-hospital-diners/
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
Jefferson Healthcare in Port Townsend, Washington is cooking more from scratch and
using more local ingredients.
IFT 2012
Arthur A. Hospital food gets fresh with Stark: PT
hospital may be first in the state to go local with food
service. Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader.
September 14, 2011.
http://ptleader.com/main.asp?SectionID=36&SubSection
ID=55&ArticleID=30016
New Milford Hospital in New Milford, Connecticut is revamping its offerings to promote
Carlson W. Defying a stereotype with gourmet dishes.
healthy eating among its patients, employees, and local residents and employees. The
The New York Times. July 29, 2011.
hospital incorporates local produce and maintains a rooftop garden.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/31/nyregion/newmilford-hospital-cafe-defiesstereotypes.html?pagewanted=all
Vancouver Island Healthy Authority in Vancouver, Canada is incorporating more steam
Duffy A. Hospital food no longer a bitter pill to
cooking to improve the nutritional quality of patient meals.
swallow. Times Colonist. July 29, 2011.
http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/capi
tal_van_isl/story.html?id=1d3a7ee3-13d4-4755-a524e99c077fe575
Fort Harrison VA Hospital in Helena, Montana is using simple garnishes and other creative Maier A. Meal Appeal. Independent Record. June 15,
ways to improve the appeal of healthier food options.
2011.
http://helenair.com/lifestyles/health-medfit/article_0d727d96-970c-11e0-af48-001cc4c002e0.html
Elmbrook Memorial, Aurora Healthcare’s Summit Medical Center, along with ProHealth
Hess C. Area hospital boasts…good food? The Business
Care’s Waukesha Memorial and Oconomowoc Memorial
Journal. May 26, 2011.
Participated in the Hospital Food Fight in Milwaukee, which used an Iron Chef style
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/blog/health_care
competition between Milwaukee-area hospitals to showcase the healthier and tastier items
/2011/05/area-hospital-boastsgood-food.html
being served now at hospital cafeterias and also raised money for cancer while doing it.
Oregon Health & Sciences University Hospital, Adventist Medical Center, Legacy Good
Hottle M. Hospital cafeterias across Portland surprise,
Samaritan Medical Center, Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, Providence Portland Medical delight taste-tester. The Oregonian. May 21, 2011.
Center, and Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, all located in the Portland, Oregon
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/05/f
area have revamped their menus to offer both patients and employees more local, organic,
ood_at_five_portland_hospital.html (Video)
and fresh produce, vegetarian options, custom ordering, homemade entrees, heart-healthy
options, recipe and nutritional information, salad bars, yogurt bards, seasonal dishes, and
lower-fat, lower-sodium, and lower-sugar foods and beverages.
7
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan renovated its cafeteria to
offer fresh to order food stations and implemented a color-coded system to help identify
healthy selections. The hospital also maintains its own farm including a greenhouse. The
bounty is used in its food service program, sold at a farmer’s market, and donated to
charities. The hospital is considering building an orchard and community garden.
Fifty Michigan hospitals have committed to participating in the Michigan Health &
Hospital Association’s Healthy Food Hospitals Initiative and will adopt ways to improve
the nutritional value of their meal offerings including using labels and purchasing local
foods.
Hospitals in Pennsylvania are working to improve menus for employees, patients, and
visitors and some are considering Meatless Monday.
Mercy Health System in Ardmore, Oklahoma is implementing a “healthification” program
to help employees, patients, and visitors chose healthier menu options and to help chefs
prepare healthier and tastier offerings.
Casa Grande Regional Medical Center in Casa Grande, Arizona has been revamping its
menu offerings, tailoring to patient needs and working with staff dietitians.
8
IFT 2012
Keeping J. St. Joseph Ann Arbor opens new, healthconscious cafeteria Wednesday. AnnArbor.com.
September 7, 2011.
http://www.annarbor.com/news/st-joseph-ann-arboropens-new-health-conscious-cafeteria-wednesday/
Keeping J. Call it organic growth: St. Joe’s considers
expanding its farm to include orchard, community
garden. AnnArbor.com. May 9, 2011.
http://www.annarbor.com/entertainment/food-drink/stjoseph-mercy-ann-arbor-talks-about-expanding-farm-toinclude-fruit-orchard-community-gardens/
Kirk S. Hospitals pledge to improve nutrition to fight
obesity in Michigan. The Detroit News. May 5, 2011.
http://phc.osumc.edu/2011/05/11/hospitals-pledge-toimprove-nutrition-to-fight-obesity-in-michigan/
Mind and Body Staff. Area hospitals revamp menu
options with healthier options. Patriot-News. April 17,
2011.
http://www.pennlive.com/bodyandmind/index.ssf/2011/0
4/area_hospitals_revamp_menus_wi.html
“Healthification” at Mercy Memorial in Ardmore. KXIITV. April 7, 2011.
http://www.kxii.com/home/headlines/Healthification_at_
Mercy_Memorial_Health_Center_in_Ardmore_1194403
49.html
Levine A. New diets, menus offered at hospital. Casa
Grande Valley Newspapers. March 23, 2011.
http://www.trivalleycentral.com/articles/2011/03/23/triva
lley_dispatch/top_stories/doc4d8913a65f804323185453.t
xt
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Riverside, California offers more vegetarian dishes
and is cutting back on pastries.
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Chef takes new
approach with hospital food. Press-Enterprise. March 5,
2011.
http://www.pe.com/local-news/san-bernardinocounty/san-bernardino-county-headlinesindex/20110306-chef-takes-new-approach-with-hospitalfood.ece
Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio is planning a cafeteria renovation Hoholik S. Hospital food being transformed. The
that will enable cooks to prepare made-to-order meals and maintain hot food temperatures
Columbus Dispatch. March 2, 2011.
from kitchen to patient room delivery.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/03/0
2/hospital-food-being-transformed.html
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia implemented a program known as “origins” to
Kreimer S. Healthy choices coming to a cafeteria near
increase the number of organic ingredients in their menu options. The Hospital has closed you. H&HN. January 7, 2007.
the fast food restaurant it had on its campus.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17302128
The University of Pittsburgh Magee-Women’s Hospital worked with Sodexho to offer
customers bundled meals that featured healthier selections such as whole wheat pizza with
a ½ of salad or soup and bottled water or a low-calorie drink. The pizza uses less cheese
and more roasted vegetables. The hospital also upped its offerings of healthier sandwich
options including whole wheat bread and roasted vegetables.
9
Gordon E. Fast food chains in cafeterias put hospitals in
a bind. The Salt: NPR. April 9, 2012.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/04/05/150091951/
fast-food-chains-in-cafeterias-put-hospitals-in-a-bind
Kreimer S. Healthy choices coming to a cafeteria near
you. H&HN. January 7, 2007.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17302128
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
Creating Culinary Connections & Training Programs
Hospital Healthy Initiative Description
The Franciscan Hospital for Children in Brighton, Massachusetts has created a kitchen to
help patients and staff learn how to make healthier meals.
Healthy Kitchen/Healthy Lives is a program out of Harvard that teaches a range of health
professionals on to cook affordable healthy foods with the hopes the lessons they learn can
be passed down in a more practical, hands-on way to their patients.
St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, Montana trains staff on how to measure ingredients and
provide appropriate portion sizes so meals offered line up as closely as possible with the
nutritional content information provided in the hospital’s cafeterias.
Good Shepherd Hospital in Hermiston, Oregon provides its foodservice staff training on
how to use locally grown foods and also uses DVDs at staff meetings to educate their staff
on the food supply. The hospital has notice less staff turnover since they have
implemented their staff engagement initiatives.
The University of Maryland School of Nursing implemented a program with more than 40
hospitals in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Northern Virginia known as Maryland
Hospitals for a Healthy Environment. The program works to connect participating
hospitals with locally grown fruits, vegetables, and meats and also trains the hospital
foodservice staff how to integrate these food items into their menus.
10
Learn More
Hospital kitchen feels and works like home. Boston.com.
July 13, 2012.
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/house/blog/dne/2012/07
/hospital_kitche_1.html
Brown PL. To heal, first eat. New York Times. April
10, 2012.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/11/dining/doctorslearn-to-cook-healthy-crave-ablefoods.html?pagewanted=all
The United States Department of Health and Human
Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion Division of Nutrition, Physical
Activity, and Obesity. Issue 3: Healthy Hospital
Practice to Practice Series (P2P). CS227211-C.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/p2p/
P2P_Food_Issue3.pdf
The United States Department of Health and Human
Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion Division of Nutrition, Physical
Activity, and Obesity. Issue 1: Healthy Hospital
Practice to Practice Series (P2P). CS22721-A.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/p2p/
P2P_Food_Issue1.pdf
Barclay E. Not your grandmother’s hospital food.
January 23, 2012.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/01/23/145659005/
not-your-grandmothers-hospital-food
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
North Shore-LIJ Health System in New York brought together eleven chef teams to
compete in a cooking competition using recipes that had to comply with nutrition
guidelines.
Danney M. Hospital food to live for. Patch.com. March
30, 2012.
http://glencove.patch.com/articles/photos-hospital-foodto-live-for#photo-9456723
Scarborough Hospital in Toronto, Canada was awarded a grant that allows them to fund a
one-year contract with a Toronto chef. The chef is contracted to help the hospital improve
its nutrition offerings.
Milley D. Chef cooking up fresher hospital menu in
Scarborough. InsideToronto.com. July 16, 2011.
http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/104373
2--chef-cooking-up-fresher-hospital-menu-inscarborough
Zahn B. The Culinary Institute of America and Vassar
Brothers Hospital work to improve hospital food.
wnyt.com. March 12, 2012.
http://wnyt.com/article/stories/s2534462.shtml (Video)
Henry Ford Health System Press Room. Culinary
Institute.
http://www.henryford.com/body.cfm?id=52258
An elective class at the Culinary Institute of America is teaching culinary students how to
enhance the nutritional value of food service operations for medical communities such as
hospitals, nursing homes, and senior housing.
Henry Food West Bloomfield Hospital in Detroit, Michigan is launching a culinary school
to more effectively bring chefs, dietitians, and school lunch cooks together on creating
healthy and tasty meals in food service and health care settings.
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Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
Teaching Medical Staff Healthy Cooking Techniques
Hospital Healthy Initiative Description
University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center in
Worcester, Massachusetts teaches physicians and medical students about healthy eating
and food preparation through hands-on cooking lessons from dietitians to help arm them
with practical information for patient education regarding healthy eating.
12
Learn More
Nugent K. Heart healthy fare: Cooking program helps
educate doctors. Telegram & Gazette. October 30,
2011.
http://www.telegram.com/article/20111030/NEWS/1103
09337/-1/NEWS06
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
Offering Healthier Vending Options for Patients, Staff, & Visitors
Hospital Healthy Initiative Description
Chicago hospitals have phased out less healthy foods and beverages in their vending
machines and continue to enhance the availability of more healthy offerings in their
vending machines.
University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina has worked to improve the vending
offerings within its 8 hospitals.
The Fairview Hospital in Massachusetts phased out sugar-sweetened beverages in vending
machines and worked within their existing contract to order beverages with no additional
sugar added.
Detroit Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan is improving the menu at its eight hospitals
and offering healthier vending options.
13
Learn More
Eng M. Chicago hospital group to drop sugar-sweetened
drinks. Chicago Tribune. April 24, 2012.
http://heartofillinois.blogspot.com/2012/04/chicagohospital-group-to-drop-sugar.html
The United States Department of Health and Human
Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion Division of Nutrition, Physical
Activity, and Obesity. Issue 3: Healthy Hospital
Practice to Practice Series (P2P). CS227211-C.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/p2p/
P2P_Food_Issue3.pdf
The United States Department of Health and Human
Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion Division of Nutrition, Physical
Activity, and Obesity. Issue 2: Healthy Hospital
Practice to Practice Series (P2P). CS227211-B.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/p2p/
P2P_Food_Issue2.pdf
Greene J. DMC cleans up cafeteria menu in quest for
healthier hospital culture. Crain’s Detroit Business.
January 16, 2012.
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20120116/HEALT
H/120119934/dmc-cleans-up-cafeteria-menu-in-questfor-healthier-hospital-culture#
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
Kaweah Delta Health Care District in Visalia, California improved vending offerings and
created a color-code system to help consumers identify healthier options.
Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Walnut Creek, California hosted taste tests to
showcase its healthier offerings through their vending machines.
Lehigh Valley Health Network in Upper Macungie, PA offers healthier options and
nutrition information in vending machines in three of its hospitals.
14
IFT 2012
Maxey B. Vending machines at Kaweah Delta Health
Care District get an update. Visalia Times-Delta.
January 8, 2012.
http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/article/20120109/LIFE
STYLE/201090309/Vending-machines-Kaweah-DeltaHealth-Care-District-get-an-update
Contra Costa Regional Medical Center Media Advisory.
Healthy vending machines now the norm at Contra Costa
Health Services. Monday, October 24, 2011.
http://cchealth.org/press_releases/2011/2011_1024_vendi
ng_machines.php
Cauler B. A new breed of healthful vending machines at
Lehigh Valley Hospital. Patch.com. July 14, 2011.
http://uppermacungie.patch.com/articles/a-new-breed-ofhealthful-vending-machines-at-lehigh-valley-hospital-3
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
Offering Healthier Grab-n-Go Options for Patients, Staff & Visitors
Hospital Healthy Initiative Description
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois has a Top Deck cafeteria that
offers healthy “grab and go” items.
Paradise Valley Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona offers health for life meals to go to help
patients consume diets low in sodium, fat, carbohydrates, and calories for a $5.50 a meal.
Aramark Healthcare worked with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to help hospital
employees use web ordering via kiosks throughout the hospital to quickly and more easily
order healthier meals and snack and more quickly pick them up at one of the hospital’s
three cafeterias.
15
Learn More
Schwartz K. Healthy hospital cafeteria offerings step
beyond salad days. Chicago Tribune. March 21, 2012.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-03-21/health/ctx-0321-health-cafeteria-food-20120321_1_turkeyburgers-salad-bar-food-choices
Sexton CC. Meals to Go program proving popular for
Paradise Valley Hospital. The Arizona Republic.
January 17, 2011.
http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2
011/01/14/20110114paradise-valley-hospital-meals-goprogram-proving-popular.html
Kreimer S. Healthy choices coming to a cafeteria near
you. H&HN. January 7, 2007.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17302128
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
Providing Nutritional Content Information
Hospital Healthy Initiative Description
University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina is working to ensure all foods are labeled
through their 8 hospitals and uses heart-healthy criteria to designate heart healthy foods.
Over 80% of the foods and beverages offered in their heart-healthy café meet their hearthealthy criteria.
Learn More
The United States Department of Health and Human
Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion Division of Nutrition, Physical
Activity, and Obesity. Issue 3: Healthy Hospital
Practice to Practice Series (P2P). CS227211-C.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/p2p/
P2P_Food_Issue3.pdf
St Vincent Healthcare in Billings, Montana uses the Just4U program created by Aramark to The United States Department of Health and Human
provide nutritional information alongside the foods served in their cafeterias.
Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion Division of Nutrition, Physical
Activity, and Obesity. Issue 3: Healthy Hospital
Practice to Practice Series (P2P). CS227211-C.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/p2p/
P2P_Food_Issue3.pdf
The Wildflower Café at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital in Elmhurst, Illinois has a widescreen Schwartz K. Healthy hospital cafeteria offerings step
digital monitor is at each station allowing customers to determine their food selection’s
beyond salad days. Chicago Tribune. March 21, 2012.
calorie counts and fat content.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-03-21/health/ctx-0321-health-cafeteria-food-20120321_1_turkeyburgers-salad-bar-food-choices
White River Medical Center in Batesville, Arkansas is challenging employees to a weight- Three Rivers Edition Staff. Hospital’s dietary
loss competition. The dietary department is offering counseling, working on menu health
department issues weight-loss challenge to employees.
improvements, and posting nutritional values.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. January 16, 2012.
http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2011/jan/16/hospit
als-dietary-department-issues-weight-loss-ch/
16
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
Kaweah Delta Health Care District in Visalia, California improved vending offerings and
created a color-code system to help consumers identify healthier options.
Eastern Maine Health System in Augusta, Maine uses Guiding Stars to label its menu
offerings.
Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia uses Simply Balanced program to
identify healthy meal choices and employees get a discount if they choose items marked as
healthy.
St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan implemented a color-coded
system to help identify healthy selections.
Lehigh Valley Health Network in Upper Macungie, PA offers healthier options and
nutrition information in vending machines in three of its hospitals.
Fifty Michigan hospitals have committed to participating in the Michigan Health &
Hospital Association’s Healthy Food Hospitals Initiative and will adopt ways to improve
the nutritional value of their meal offerings including using labels and purchasing local
foods.
Some hospitals in Pennsylvania are displaying nutrition information at the point of
purchase.
17
IFT 2012
Maxey B. Vending machines at Kaweah Delta Health
Care District get an update. Visalia Times-Delta.
January 8, 2012.
http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/article/20120109/LIFE
STYLE/201090309/Vending-machines-Kaweah-DeltaHealth-Care-District-get-an-update
Farwell J. Guiding Star nutritional rating implemented in
hospital cafeterias. Bangor Daily News. December 8,
2011.
https://bangordailynews.com/2011/12/08/health/guidingstars-nutritional-ratings-implemented-in-hospitalcafeterias/print/
Martha Jefferson Hospital offers ‘Simply Balanced’
Menu. WVIR-TV. November 7, 2011.
http://www.nbc29.com/story/15975779/martha-jeffersonhospitals-simply-balanced-menu (Video)
Keeping J. St. Joseph Ann Arbor opens new, healthconscious cafeteria Wednesday. AnnArbor.com.
September 7, 2011.
http://www.annarbor.com/news/st-joseph-ann-arboropens-new-health-conscious-cafeteria-wednesday/
Cauler B. A new breed of healthful vending machines at
Lehigh Valley Hospital. Patch.com. July 14, 2011.
http://uppermacungie.patch.com/articles/a-new-breed-ofhealthful-vending-machines-at-lehigh-valley-hospital-3
Kirk S. Hospitals pledge to improve nutrition to fight
obesity in Michigan. The Detroit News. May 5, 2011.
http://phc.osumc.edu/2011/05/11/hospitals-pledge-toimprove-nutrition-to-fight-obesity-in-michigan/
Mind and Body Staff. Area hospitals revamp menu
options with healthier options. Patriot-News. April 17,
2011.
http://www.pennlive.com/bodyandmind/index.ssf/2011/0
4/area_hospitals_revamp_menus_wi.html
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
Sutter General Hospital in California posts nutritional information for a week’s worth of
entrees at the cafeteria entrance.
18
IFT 2012
Freedhoff, Y & Stevenson R. Editorial: Frying up
hospital cafeteria food. CMAJ. 2008;179(3):213.
http://www.cmaj.ca/content/179/3/213
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
Adapting & Customizing Menu Offerings for Patient Nutritional Needs
Hospital Healthy Initiative Description
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, New York has been adopting
menu items to meet the needs of patients, such as Nutella milkshakes for cancer patients
who need extra calories and have experienced changed taste perceptions.
MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas added Flamin’ Hot Cheetos to
accommodate cancer patients’ frequent requests. The hospital has also adjusted when menu
orders must be submitted and increased made-to-order pasta and smoothie items.
Cape Fear Hospital New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, North Carolina
is testing out a computer system to monitor patient menu choices against their dietary
restrictions and makes adjustments in real time.
Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore had implemented a program in 2007 that had the
hostess work with the patient six to nine times daily on their menu selections throughout a
given day.
Aramark Healthcare is working with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to improve
menu ordering from patient’s rooms for the patient and their guests throughout the entire
day.
19
Learn More
Fallik D. New Hospital Cuisine: Dishes Made to Order.
The Wall Street Journal. February 2, 2012.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204642
604577213390021632180.html (Video)
Fallik D. New Hospital Cuisine: Dishes Made to Order.
The Wall Street Journal. February 2, 2012.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204642
604577213390021632180.html (Video)
March J. Hospital room service expanding to New
Hanover Regional Medical Center this fall. Star-News.
June 27, 2011.
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20110627/ARTI
CLES/110629730
Kreimer S. Healthy choices coming to a cafeteria near
you. H&HN. January 7, 2007.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17302128
Kreimer S. Healthy choices coming to a cafeteria near
you. H&HN. January 7, 2007.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17302128
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
Incentivizing Healthy Behaviors
Hospital Healthy Initiative Description
Baptist Health South Florida offers a portion-controlled Wellness Advantage Meal for
$3.00 that has less than 600 calories, less than 30% of calories come from fat, less than
10% of calories come from saturated fat, and less than 800 mg of sodium. More than
150,000 Wellness Advantage Meals were sold to employees and visitors in 2010. This
effort among others is supported in part through an annual hospital retreat that brings
together foodservice directors and the hospital wellness team.
St. Luke’s Magic Valley Hospital in Twin Falls, Idaho has a health-U program to
incentivize employees to live healthy lifestyles.
Texas Health Plano in Plano, Texas introduced a new EatFit menu that offers employees
healthier options with a 30% discount, if selection options from the EatFit menu.
Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia uses Simply Balanced program to
identify healthy meal choices and employees get a discount if they choose items marked as
healthy.
The University of Missouri Health Care in Columbia, Missouri offers a 15% discount on
healthy entrees.
20
Learn More
The United States Department of Health and Human
Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion Division of Nutrition, Physical
Activity, and Obesity. Issue 2: Healthy Hospital
Practice to Practice Series (P2P). CS227211-B.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/p2p/
P2P_Food_Issue2.pdf
St. Luke’s adapted new healthy menu items. KMVT-TV.
March 11, 2012.
http://www.kmvt.com/news/local/St-Lukes-AdaptingNew-Healthy--142283635.html (Video)
Carpenter B. Hospital Cafeteria dishes up healthy meals.
KDAF-TV. February 15, 2012.
http://www.the33tv.com/about/station/newsteam/kdaftexas-hospital-dishes-up-health-cafeteria-food-slashescalories-20120214,0,7770417.story (Video)
Martha Jefferson Hospital offers ‘Simply Balanced’
Menu. WVIR-TV. November 7, 2011.
http://www.nbc29.com/story/15975779/martha-jeffersonhospitals-simply-balanced-menu (Video)
Warden D & Mullen L. Columbia hospitals move
toward healthier foods in cafeteria. Columbia
Missourian. July 13, 2011.
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2011/07/13/
hospitals-move-toward-healthier-foods-cafeterias/
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
Encouraging Breastfeeding
Hospital Healthy Initiative Description
Kaiser Permanente has instituted new guidelines in all 29 of its hospitals to help make
breastfeeding a priority for each child born in one of their hospitals. Baby Friendly
designations will be given to hospitals that report their rates of exclusive breastfeeding at
discharge.
Seven birthing hospitals in Rhode Island have stopped giving out free baby formula in an
effort to encourage breastfeeding.
21
Learn More
The Partnerships for Healthier America Building a
Healthier Future Summit. Kaiser Permanente commits to
support breastfeeding as a key strategy to prevent
childhood obesity.
http://www.ahealthieramerica.org/#!/our-partners
Rhode Island stops offering formula, encourages
breastfeeding. Reuters. November 29, 2011.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/29/usbreastfeeding-idUSTRE7AS2J520111129
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
Operating or Participating in Food Pantries
Hospital Healthy Initiative Description
The Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota operates a food pantry.
Medical Center Food Pantry staff also provides guidance to food pantry visitors on how to
apply for federal food and nutrition assistance benefits.
Boston Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts has operated a food pantry for more than
11 years and regularly offers cooking classes. With support from Walmart, Boston
Medical Center purchased a truck to help deliver foods to underserved families in the
Greater Boston Area.
Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, California coordinates with the Second Harvest Food
Bank “Passion for Produce” which helps support needy parents with produce and lessons
on how to prepare it every week.
22
Learn More
Barr S. Where ‘hospital food’ takes on a new meaning.
Kaiser Health News. November 22, 2011.
http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2011/Novembe
r/22/hospital-pantry.aspx?p=1
Graves K. Ten years of (food) service.
MySouthEnd.com. November 16, 2011.
http://www.mysouthend.com/index.php?ch=arts&sc=&sc
2=news&sc3=&id=126857
Boston Medical Center unveils new food pantry truck.
SouthEndPatch. November 17, 2011.
http://southend.patch.com/blog_posts/boston-medicalcenter-unveils-new-food-pantry-truck
Brown JM. Dominican chips in for fresh food loan
program: Hospital’s parent company gives $2.5M for
sustainability initiative. Santa Cruz Sentinel. August 1,
2011.
http://www.presstelegram.com/crime/ci_18596034
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
Delivering Healthy Meals
Hospital Healthy Initiative Description
Windham Hospital has delivered meals to elderly, disabled patients for more than 15 years
through its Meals to the Home Program. Currently, the program delivers meals that often
feature fresh fruits and vegetables to almost 90 households.
23
Learn More
Kefalas F. Windham Hospital service delivers meals to
elderly, disabled patients. June 27, 2012.
http://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/x1660540215/Wi
ndham-Hospital-service-delivers-meals-to-elderlydisabled-patients?zc_p=0#axzz1zTzwnrew
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
Maintaining Hospital Farms & Gardens
Hospital Healthy Initiative Description
Edgerton Hospital maintains a Healthy Village campus including public hiking paths,
community gardens, and outdoor healing gardens.
Fauquier Hospital in Warrenton, VA has a healing garden on its campus and uses its
bounty in its cafeteria meals.
Concord Hospital has agreed to purchase organic produce from a local Vegetable Ranch.
The hospital has contracted to receive cherry tomatoes, potatoes, scallions, and squash.
Wooster Community Hospital in Wooster, Ohio uses their hospital garden to promote
wellness and supply the hospital cafeteria with fresh produce.
Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington, Massachusetts uses vegetables grown from its own
garden in its kitchen.
South Lake Hospital in South Lake, Florida was supported by its hospital foundation to
build a new community garden on the hospital grounds, 100-foot by 100-foot.
24
Learn More
Johnson N. Edgerton Hospital Healthy Village
spearheads outdoor wellness. GazetteXtra.com. July 2,
2012.
http://gazettextra.com/news/2012/jun/10/edgertonhospital-healthy-village-spearheads-outdo/
Rovner J. Hospital food so fresh, even the healthy come
to dine. NPR. May 9, 2012.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/05/09/152355829/
hospital-food-so-fresh-even-the-healthy-come-to-dine
Duckler R. Organic farmer to team up with hospital.
Concord Monitor. April 7, 2012.
http://www.concordmonitor.com/article/321978/organicfarmer-to-team-up-withhospital?SESS44e1927da24d9b62612587b03494a3c1=g
oogle&CSAuthResp=1333991400%3A69j3a38oojaa85g
08tkp29pnr2%3ACSUserId%7CCSGroupId%3Aapprove
d%3AB99FC9C54390B9E4E0976D8C0FE29134&CSU
serId=94&CSGroupId=1
Gehring L. President’s cookbook raising fresh food at
GreenPoint Wooster Community Hospital garden helps
to provide fruits and veggies to dietary department. TheDaily-Record.com. March 26, 2012.
http://www.the-daily-record.com/news/article/5047217
Brown R. Community garden offers place to grow. The
Daily Commercial. February 27, 2012.
http://www.dailycommercial.com/021712communitygar
den
Brown R. Community garden offers place to grow. The
Daily Commercial. February 27, 2012.
http://www.dailycommercial.com/021712communitygar
den
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
Rex Healthcare in Raleigh, North Carolina grows a small herb garden.
Glens Falls Hospital in Glens Fall, New York grows a garden and utilizes its bounty in the
cafeteria meals.
Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, California employees a part-time gardener and
coordinates volunteers to maintain an organic garden on the hospital grounds . The
hospital also offers organic gardening classes to patients, employees, and local residents.
The bounty is not used in the food service operations because of regulatory restrictions.
New Milford Hospital in New Milford, Connecticut maintains a rooftop garden and
incorporates the garden bounty into its food service operations.
St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan renovated its cafeteria to
offer fresh to order food stations and implemented a color-coded system to help identify
healthy selections. The hospital also maintains its own farm including a greenhouse. The
bounty is used in its food service program, sold at a farmer’s market, and donated to
charities. The hospital is considering building an orchard and community garden.
25
IFT 2012
Fallik D. New hospital cuisine: Dishes made to order.
WSJ. February 2, 2012.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204642
604577213390021632180.html (Video)
Thompson M. Hospital promotes healthier lifestyle by
growing vegetables. The Post-Star. August 31, 2011.
Dominican chips in for fresh food loan program:
Hospital’s parent company gives $2.5M for sustainability
initiative. Santa Cruz Sentinel. August 1, 2011.
http://www.presstelegram.com/crime/ci_18596034
Carlson W. Defying a stereotype with gourmet dishes.
The New York Times. July 29, 2011.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/31/nyregion/newmilford-hospital-cafe-defiesstereotypes.html?pagewanted=all
Learn more at: stjoefarm.wordpress.com.
Keeping J. St. Joseph Ann Arbor opens new, healthconscious cafeteria Wednesday. AnnArbor.com.
September 7, 2011 and Keeping J. Call it organic
growth: St. Joe’s considers expanding its farm to include
orchard, community garden. AnnArbor.com. May 9,
2011.
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
Participating in Food Hubs
Hospital Healthy Initiative Description
The New Milford Hospital in Connecticut is working with Plow to Plate to offer more
local, organic food within its hospital cafeterias.
St. Luke’s and Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, Minnesota are joining
two local universities and the local convention center in the Western Lake Superior Food
Hub. This pilot program is connecting food service providers with local farmers.
Hospitals in Michigan are participating in food hubs where farmers are being connected
with foodservice providers.
The head chef at the United General Hospital in Sedro Woolley, Washington shops for
locally grown foods at the Skagit Valley Wholesale Market. This market brings together
local vendors once a week in Mount Vernon, Washington. The culinary staff at United
General has been working to integrate fresh, locally grown foods into its meal offerings
and promotes their effort in its Farm Fresh Friday menus.
Learn More
Peters A. Food is the best medicine: Hospitals choose
local, sustainable food. RevModo. July 6, 2012.
http://revmodo.com/2012/07/06/food-is-the-bestmedicine-hospitals-choose-local-sustainable-food/
Creger M. Duluth cafeterias line up for local farmers’
food. Duluth News Tribune. April 23, 2012.
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/2294
54/
Bayer K. Food hubs are coming to Michigan.
AnnArbor.com. December 19, 2011.
http://web4.annarbor.com/entertainment/fooddrink/food-hubs-are-coming-to-michigan/
Mitchell D. Yes, it’s a hospital cafeteria menu. The
Packer. October 14, 2011.
http://www.thepacker.com/fruit-vegetablenews/foodservice/Yes-its-a-hospital-cafeteria-menu131873873.html
Another relevant article about a Seattle wholesale
farmers’ market selling to area hospitals:
Brown S. Seattle’s wholesale farmers’ market opens.
Capital Press. July 7, 2011.
http://www.capitalpress.com/content/SB-wholesalemarkets-070811-w-mug-TK
26
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
Coordinating Community-Supported Agriculture
Hospital Healthy Initiative Description
St. Anne’s Hospital in Fall River, Massachusetts formed a partnership with Silverbrook
Farm to connect employees with a community supported agriculture program.
Glens Falls Hospital in Glens Fall, New York is planning to organize a communitysupported-agriculture group.
Kaiser Permanente in Denver, Colorado teamed up with Denver Botanic Gardens to grow
fresh vegetables on a farm in Chatfield and support a community-supported-agriculture
program for area families.
27
Learn More
Sullivan L. Saint Anne’s Hospital asking employees to
“rethink” their sugary drinks and make healthier choices.
Herald News Extra Editor. December 18, 2011.
http://www.heraldnews.com/newsnow/x2320076/SaintAnnes-Hospital-asking-employees-to-rethink-theirsugary-drinks-and-make-healthier-choices
Thompson M. Hospital promotes healthier lifestyle by
growing vegetables. The Post-Star. August 31, 2011.
http://poststar.com/news/local/hospital-promoteshealthier-lifestyle-by-growingvegetables/article_63aaf98c-d441-11e0-9b5d001cc4c002e0.html
Kaiser Permanente News Center. Press Release: Denver
Botanic Gardens and Kaiser Permanente plant seeds for
healthy eating. May 20, 2010.
http://xnet.kp.org/newscenter/pressreleases/co/2010/0520
10csagarden.html
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
Operating an On-Site Farmers’ Market
Hospital Healthy Initiative Description
Kaiser Permanente’s Ontario medical campus offers a farmers’ market on campus to
promote access to fresh local produce.
St. Anne’s Hospital in Fall River, Massachusetts operates an on-site farmers’ market and
promotes the market to its employees through the hospital’s employee wellness program.
The market is also open to patients and local residents.
Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott, Kansas will host a farmers’ market during the winter
months and offer recipes and healthy preparation tips.
Glens Falls Hospital in Glens Fall, New York hosts a farmers’ market.
Advantage Health, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Spectrum Health, Bronson
Methodist Hospital, Borgess Medical Center, and Metro Health Hospital
Michigan all offer farmers’ markets on or near hospital campuses, along with other health
promoting activities such as health screenings, exercise classes, and cooking
demonstrations.
St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan maintains its own farm
including a greenhouse. The bounty is used in its food service program, sold at a farmer’s
market, and donated to charities. The hospital is considering building an orchard and
community garden.
Learn More
Marquez L. Ontario Kaiser serves up healthful food for
all. Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. June 25, 2012.
http://www.dailybulletin.com/ci_20938080
Sullivan L. Saint Anne’s Hospital asking employees to
“rethink” their sugary drinks and make healthier choices.
Herald News Extra Editor. December 18, 2011.
http://www.heraldnews.com/newsnow/x2320076/SaintAnnes-Hospital-asking-employees-to-rethink-theirsugary-drinks-and-make-healthier-choices
Mercy Health Center to offer produce. Fort Scott
Tribune. December 2, 2011.
http://www.fstribune.com/story/1685145.html
Thompson M. Hospital promotes healthier lifestyle by
growing vegetables. The Post-Star. August 31, 2011.
http://poststar.com/news/local/hospital-promoteshealthier-lifestyle-by-growingvegetables/article_63aaf98c-d441-11e0-9b5d001cc4c002e0.html
Sanchez M. Healthy-food initiatives reflect hospitals’
changing mission. Business Review Western Michigan.
June 2, 2011.
http://www.mlive.com/business/westmichigan/index.ssf/2011/06/healthyfood_initiatives_refle.html
Keeping J. St. Joseph Ann Arbor opens new, healthconscious cafeteria Wednesday. AnnArbor.com.
September 7, 2011.
http://www.annarbor.com/news/st-joseph-ann-arboropens-new-health-conscious-cafeteria-wednesday/
Keeping J. Call it organic growth: St. Joe’s considers
expanding its farm to include orchard, community
28
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
Harris County Hospital in Houston, Texas partnered with the non-for-profit Veggie Pals to
host on-site farmers’ markets at five of its facilities. The program is known as Healthy
Harvest.
29
IFT 2012
garden. AnnArbor.com. May 9, 2011.
http://www.annarbor.com/entertainment/food-drink/stjoseph-mercy-ann-arbor-talks-about-expanding-farm-toinclude-fruit-orchard-community-gardens/
Wanjek C. Nature’s Rx: Farmer’ Market cropping up at
hospitals. LiveScience.com. February 13, 2011.
http://www.livescience.com/18460-farmers-marketshospitals-eating-healthy.html
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
Employee Wellness Programs & Activities
Hospital Healthy Initiative Description
The American Hospital Association Hospitals in Pursuit of Excellence website highlights
health and wellness best practices.
Fresno VA Medical Center painted morals in the stairwells to encourage employees to
walk the stairs and address fire code violations that were identified for their use of framed
photos in the stairwells.
Learn More
www.hpoe.org
The United States Department of Health and Human
Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion Division of Nutrition, Physical
Activity, and Obesity. Issue 6: Healthy Hospital
Practice to Practice Series (P2P). CS22721-F.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/p2p/
P2P_PA_Issue6.pdf
Penrose-St. Francis Health Services in Colorado offers its employees the STRIVE program The United States Department of Health and Human
to encourage physical activity. Employees and volunteers have access to four, free on-site Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
fitness facilities. The hospital also organizes walks and hikes. A new program, known as
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Wellness on Wheels, offers activity breaks to hospital staff and volunteers on the hospital
Health Promotion Division of Nutrition, Physical
floors. The program is staff in part by interns, volunteers, and community partners.
Activity, and Obesity. Issue 6: Healthy Hospital
Practice to Practice Series (P2P). CS22721-F.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/p2p/
P2P_PA_Issue6.pdf
Kaiser Permanente offers its employees transit subsidies, rideshare programs, and preferred The United States Department of Health and Human
carpool parking to help promote active transport options.
Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion Division of Nutrition, Physical
Activity, and Obesity. Issue 5: Healthy Hospital
Practice to Practice Series (P2P). CS227211-D.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/p2p/
P2P_PA_Issue5.pdf
Denver Health and Hospital Authority participate in a bike share program, which facilitates The United States Department of Health and Human
active transport options for its employees.
Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion Division of Nutrition, Physical
Activity, and Obesity. Issue 4: Healthy Hospital
30
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
The Piedmont Hospital teaches its employees during their orientation about the variety of
ways the hospital tries to promote employee wellness. The hospital offers a 25,000 square
foot health and fitness center and the initiation fee are waived for staff who join in the first
month of employment. The hospital also offers a 47% discount to hospital employees.
The fitness center uses newsletters and memos to highlight participation rates and positive
health outcomes. The hospital also offers walking routes through the inside or outside of
the hospital.
The Cleveland Clinic has implemented a wellness program, along with other hospital
policies to support healthy eating and active living. The hospital employees have
reportedly lost more than 180,800 pounds in 15 months.
St. Anne’s Hospital in Fall River, Massachusetts has implemented a wellness program that
involves coordinating a community-supported agriculture for employees to participate in,
operating a farmers’ market, and providing health education and promotion. The hospital
also started a “Stop. Rethink your Drink.” campaign that includes vending machine
changes to increase water and low-fat milk offerings.
Phoebe Putney Hospital in Albany, Georgia staff dietitian gave a lunch-and-learn
presentation to employees about making healthy choices.
31
IFT 2012
Practice to Practice Series (P2P). CS227211-D.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/p2p/
P2P_Food_Issue4.pdf
The United States Department of Health and Human
Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion Division of Nutrition, Physical
Activity, and Obesity. Issue 4: Healthy Hospital
Practice to Practice Series (P2P). CS227211-D.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/p2p/
P2P_Food_Issue4.pdf
The United States Department of Health and Human
Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion Division of Nutrition, Physical
Activity, and Obesity. Issue 1: Healthy Hospital
Practice to Practice Series (P2P). CS22721-A.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/p2p/
P2P_Food_Issue1.pdf
Sullivan L. Saint Anne’s Hospital asking employees to
“rethink” their sugary drinks and make healthier choices.
Herald News Extra Editor. December 18, 2011.
http://www.heraldnews.com/newsnow/x2320076/SaintAnnes-Hospital-asking-employees-to-rethink-theirsugary-drinks-and-make-healthier-choices
Wallace J. Phoebe employees learn to eat healthy on the
run. WALB-TV. October 21, 2011.
http://www.walb.com/story/15769822/phoebeemployees-learn-to-eat-healthy-on-the-run
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
Employee Weight Loss Challenge
Hospital Healthy Initiative Description
White River Medical Center in Batesville, Arkansas is challenging employees to a weightloss competition. The dietary department is offering counseling, working on menu health
improvements, and posting nutritional values.
32
Learn More
Three Rivers Edition Staff. Hospital’s dietary
department issues weight-loss challenge to employees.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. January 16, 2012.
http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2011/jan/16/hospit
als-dietary-department-issues-weight-loss-ch/
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
Improving the Hospital Built Environment
Hospital Healthy Initiative Description
Kaiser Permanente has a comprehensive approach to how it builds and renovates its
buildings to improve the hospital’s build environment, including ways to maximize
pedestrian paths and access to public transit. They also strive to promote open spaces for
play areas, exercise paths, and gardens. Also, the comprehensive plan monitors space
allocations for bicycle parking, safe crosswalks, and well-lit and covered outdoor areas.
33
Learn More
The United States Department of Health and Human
Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion Division of Nutrition, Physical
Activity, and Obesity. Issue 5: Healthy Hospital
Practice to Practice Series (P2P). CS227211-D.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/p2p/
P2P_PA_Issue5.pdf
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
Improving Community Built Environments
Hospital Healthy Initiative Description
Truman Medical Centers in Kansas City, MO and an economic development corporation
partnered to create a mobile market to bring fresh produce to underserved urban
communities.
The Logansport Memorial Hospital in Indiana worked to convert nearby abandoned
railroad lines into handicap accessible recreational trails to promote physical activity. The
trail includes a canoe launch, bridges, rest stops, and parking. The hospital also hosts races
and walking events. The hospital wellness program encourages employees and their
families to use the trail. In addition, the hospital’s foundation opened a 35-acre preserve
for walking and biking. The trails were funded through a state grant, hospital gift, and
fundraising efforts and its maintenance is supported through an endowed fund and
community volunteers.
Truman Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri is working with partners to attract a
grocery store to the underserved hospital community.
Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, California is contributing funds into a fresh food
financing program to help food retailers open or renovate in underserved communities.
34
Learn More
Truman Medical Centers and the Hospital Hill Economic
Development Corporation Launch TMC Healthy Harvest
Mobile. PR Newswire. July 16, 2012.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trumanmedical-centers-and-the-hospital-hill-economicdevelopment-corporation-launch-tmc-healthy-harvestmobile-market-162607146.html
The United States Department of Health and Human
Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion Division of Nutrition, Physical
Activity, and Obesity. Issue 5: Healthy Hospital
Practice to Practice Series (P2P). CS227211-D.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/downloads/p2p/
P2P_PA_Issue5.pdf
Twiddy D. Truman Medical Centers wants to bag urbancare grocery store. Kansas City Business Journal.
January 11, 2012.
http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2012/01/11
/truman-medical-center-wants-to-bag.html
Dominican chips in for fresh food loan program:
Hospital’s parent company gives $2.5M for sustainability
initiative. Santa Cruz Sentinel. August 1, 2011.
http://www.presstelegram.com/crime/ci_18596034
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
Community Nutrition & Health Outreach
Hospital Healthy Initiative Description
Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton, New York hosted a National Nutrition Month Fair. The
fair featured food demonstrations, samples, and recipes, along with free lessons on food,
nutrition, and health, including how to read nutrition labels. The hospital dieticians and
chefs teamed with local extension agents.
St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll, Iowa encourages the public to ask online
questions and advice of hospital’s dietitians.
A Northwest Indiana Hospital’s weight loss program has a billboard campaign that has
stirred up debate since its billboards say: “Obesity is a disease. Not a decision.”
Kennewick General Hospital of Washington State has a public health effort to encourage
people to take small steps towards eating healthy.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota Mayo is using a gift from Unilever to build a stateof-the art wellness center to create custom-made nutrition and exercise programs for its
patients. There is a separate wellness center for employees.
St. Thomas Heart at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee offers cooking classes once a
month and focusing on healthy, affordable meals.
35
Learn More
Swartz D. Nutrition fair serves up food for thought.
Pressconnects.com. March 28, 2012.
http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20120328/NEWS0
1/203280389/Nutrition-fair-serves-up-food-thought
St. Antony Regional Hospital. Food and nutrition
information you can trust.
http://www.stanthonyhospital.org/index.php?option=com
_content&task=view&id=207&Itemid=166
Hospital’s obesity billboards stir debate. Associated
Press. November 28, 2011.
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/9124303423/hospitals-obesity-billboards-stir-debate.html
Dupler M. KGH gives out food, information about
healthy diets, exercise. Tri-City Herald. November 3,
2011.
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/11/03/1703256/kghgives-out-food-information.html
Crosby J. Mayo to make wellness a deliberate part of
care. Star Tribune. March 29, 2011.
http://www.startribune.com/business/118812749.html
St. Thomas Health News. Press Release: Saint Thomas
Heart at Baptist Hospital Offers Free Heart-Healthy
Cooking Demonstrations and Tasting. January 27, 2011.
http://www.sths.com/news.php?id=303&loc=bh
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
IFT 2012
Community Youth Activities
Hospital Healthy Initiative Description
Virginia Health System has created a “movin’ mania” initiative to promote healthy living
among Richmond youth and their families and communities. The initiative includes webbased activities, a toolkit for teachers, school-based activities, and an annual 5K walk.
Learn More
Smith T. Hospital systems tells kids to eat broccoli, go
outside and play. Richmond Times-Dispatch. June 15,
2012.
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/health/2012/jun
/15/tdobit03-hospital-systems-tells-kids-to-eat-brocco-ar1989402/
The hospital chaplain at St. Vincent Salem Hospital in Salem, Indiana climbed the world’s Moss D. Hospital chaplain takes on kids’ obesity.
highest mountain to raise funds for a dietitian-led program at the hospital to teach children Courier-Journal. January 6, 2012.
about healthy eating and weight management.
http://www.stvincent.org/News-Center/News/In-TheNews/Hospital-Chaplain-Fights-Kids--Obesity.aspx
Jordan Hospital in Plymouth, Massachusetts CEO Peter Holden and Plymouth
Cotter S. Plymouth superintendent, hospital CEO to bile
Massachusetts Schools Superintendent Gary Maestas teamed up on the DreamRide, a 600- for schools. The Patriot Ledger. May 31, 2011.
mile bike ride from Washington, DC to Plymonth, MA, to fundraise for Plymouth public
http://www.patriotledger.com/topstories/x704497006/Ply
schools and raise awareness of childhood obesity.
mouth-superintendent-hospital-CEO-to-bike-for-schools
Medical University of South Carolina Children’s Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina
Courrege D. Boeing gives MUSC Children’s Hospital
will use support from Boeing to expand its two obesity programs for Charleston-area
$1 million. The Post & Courier. May 6, 2011.
children and families which work with schools through hired dietitians and physicians on
http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20110506/PC04/3
weight management and heart health.
05069926
Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia sponsors a program to provide
Bleau S. Phoebe provides gift of health education.
health education lesson plans to K-12 teachers.
WFXL-TV. April 20, 2011.
http://www.mysouthwestga.com/news/story.aspx?id=608
165#.T4MdZZmXSsg
Huntsville Hospital Wellness Center in Huntsville, Alabama offers “Kids in the Kitchen” is Ammons P. Fourth-graders learn healthy eating and
a two-week program sponsored in part by the Huntsville Hospital Wellness Center.
exercise tips at Kids in the Kitchen. The Huntsville
Dietitians work with children on making healthier foods and snacks and use test tubes to
Times. March 7, 2011.
measure the various levels of fat in foods.
http://blog.al.com/breaking/2011/03/fourthgraders_learn_healthy_e.html (Photo Gallery)
36
Healthy Eating Hospital & Medical Centers Initiatives
Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport, Massachusetts hosts a weeklong program called
“Just Right Kids” to help preschoolers learn about healthy eating and farm-to-table
concepts.
Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois is one of the sponsors of the KidsWork
Children’s Museum in Frankfort, Illinois nutrition and health exhibit during March’s
National Nutrition Month.
37
IFT 2012
Lovett K. A lesson to live by: Preschoolers partner with
hospital on healthy eating. The Daily News. March 4,
2011.
http://www.newburyportnews.com/lifestyle/x160912227
3/A-lesson-to-live-by
Brashinger G. Healthy outlook the goal of the new
children’s museum exhibit. The Herald News. February
23, 2011.
http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/news/3866322418/healthy-outlook-the-goal-of-new-kids-museumexhibit.html