Good-bye fried chicken, hello healthy, sustainable food: Patient satisfaction + sustainable foods

Promoting community health starts with promoting individual health. 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. The environmental and financial 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. Chapter 6 guides healthcare leadership through the transition from the existing food paradigm to one that is focused on healthy food in healthcare. Healthy food in healthcare is based on a framework of purchasing local, seasonal foods harvested in a sustainable manner with verified sourcing. Healthy food is a key ingredient of individual, family and community well-being. Healthcare leaders must encourage individuals and the healthcare system at large to think differently about food. Leaders at best practice organizations are influencing food vendors to make different selections when it comes to food services. This chapter explains healthcare leadership through the transition from the existing food paradigm to one that is focused on healthy food in healthcare. It focuses on the scope of health on food, a key ingredient of individual, family and community well-being. One of the most rewarding health promotion tactics a hospital can practice is serving healthful, sustainable food to its patients, visitors and caregivers. The vision of a healthy, sustainable community and happy, satisfied individuals sometimes conflicts with the habits and perceptions that both the community and patients embrace. Leaders who succeed will be clear about the role that healthy, sustainable foods play in keeping employees healthy and helping patients optimizes their health and the health of their families. The foods hospitals serve patients, the ways hospitals educate families about healthy, sustainable food habits, the tools hospitals give patients and families about healthy eating – when and how much – are all about optimizing individual and community health.