ABSTRACT
Promoting community health starts with promoting individual health.142 One of the most rewarding health promotion tactics a hospital can practice is serving healthful, sustainable food to its patients, visitors and caregivers. Research indicates that nutrition is intrinsically linked to health; nutritious foods support healing and prevent disease.143 The environmental and fi nancial impacts of using sustainable foods are also worth noting. Locally sourced, fresh produce is frequently the healthiest choice of food on the market, and requires less energy consumption for transportation compared with foods shipped from distant locations.144 This chapter guides healthcare leadership through the transition from the existing food paradigm to one that is focused on “healthy” foods in healthcare. Healthy food in healthcare is based on a framework of
purchasing local, seasonal foods harvested in a sustainable manner with verifi ed sourcing. Good-bye fried chicken, hello healthy, sustainable food.
