Healthy Food in Health Care Project

Current food production and distri­bution systems have wide ranging impacts on the quality of ecosystems and their communities. For example, pesticides, large animal feedlot oper­ations and fertilizer overuse pollute our air and water. Agriculture related occupational health and socio-eco­nomic impacts on rural communities resulting from the decline of family farms are a growing concern. And as the quantity of calories, fat, salt, sweeteners, and meat and dairy prod­ucts is increased in our food supply and the quantity of vegetables and grains decreased, nutrition suffers.

Hospitals and health systems have opportunities to help prevent these and other food-related health con­cerns by modeling good nutrition in their institutions and by influencing how food is produced and distribut­ed. Through its food purchasing deci­sions, the U.S. health care industry can promote health by providing more fresh, good tasting, nutritious food choices for patients, staff and the community. And by supporting food production that is local, humane and protective of the envi­ronment and health, health care pro­viders can lead the way in helping redefine health food.

Oregon PSR partners with Health Care Without Harm on the Oregon Healthy Food in Health Care Project to employ market-based forces to increase demand for sustainably produced foods, improve hospital food quality, educate the public, and bolster the local economy.   The principal goal of the project is to leverage the significant purchasing power and influence of hospitals to support regional markets for fresh, sustainable food, and to model healthy food choices to the public. 

What we do:

• Provide educational and networking opportunities to Oregon hospital foodservice staff through Healthy Food in Health Care Roundtables, and other events and forums.  
• Support cross-hospital collaboration and leveraging of purchasing power through Workgroups that explore issues, devise strategies, and share successes.
• Support implementation at Oregon hospitals through the development of tools and resources.
• Provide direct technical support to participating hospitals in devising and implementing individual sustainable foodservice plans.
• Support Oregon hospitals in developing comprehensive sustainable food policies to guide their operations over the long term.

Interested in implementing HFHC at your facility?

• Learn about the issues by visiting the Health Care Without Harm Website for resources and tools.
• Sign the Healthy Food in Health Care Pledge.
• Attend one of our events!  Click here to learn more about upcoming events and to see an archive of past events, presentations and materials.
• Join our email list to receive information about upcoming events and new tools and resources.  Send a request to emma@oregonpsr.org to join the HFHC Email List.
• Subscribe to our e-newsletter to learn more about how Oregon HFHC hospitals are working to improve the sustainability of their food services. Click here to learn more!
• View additional Resources and Links.
• For individualized support or to become involved in one of our active Workgroups, contact: Emma Sirois emma@oregonpsr.org