Philadelphia, PA - Department of Health officials today joined leaders from the City of Philadelphia to recognize the achievements of the eight health systems participating in the Good Foods, Healthy Hospitals program. The program works to create a culture of health by offering nutritious foods and beverages and promoting locally sourced and sustainably produced products since 2014.
“Proper nutrition is essential to the health and well-being of all Pennsylvanians,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “The health systems participating in the Good Food, Healthy Hospitals program show they are committed to creating a healthy environment for their patients, staff and visitors. We are excited that this program is growing and continues to provide residents with healthy, sustainably produced products.”
Facilities participating in Good Food, Healthy Hospitals sign a pledge to voluntarily adopt food, beverage and procurement standards in all areas where food is purchased, served or sold. The hospitals work closely with the Good Food, Healthy Hospitals team, including the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and The Common Market Mid-Atlantic for technical assistance and collaboration with other hospitals.
“We are proud and excited to see the Good Food, Healthy Hospitals initiative expand beyond Philadelphia,” Philadelphia Department of Public Health Director of the Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention Division Dr. Cheryl Bettigole said. “We have been inspired by the commitment of Philadelphia’s hospitals to improve the health of our city’s residents through the food they serve to patients, staff, and visitors and excited by the markets for healthier local products this program has helped to create.”
Philadelphia had 18 hospitals already participating in Good Food, Healthy Hospitals before work started to expand the program. Recently, two additional Philadelphia-area hospitals signed the pledge to participate. In addition to the now 20 Philadelphia-area facilities, there are another 19 hospitals located in 15 counties throughout the state that have started implementing Good Food, Healthy Hospital guidelines. Those hospitals are part of the first two health systems outside of Philadelphia to sign the pledge: St. Luke’s University Health Network and Geisinger Health. The program plans to sign on at least one additional health system in another area of the state in the coming year.
“The Pennsylvania Department of Health is excited to partner with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and The Common Market to support hospitals in implementing food service guidelines,” Cindy Findley, Deputy Secretary for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, said. “These standards mean that healthier options are available for thousands of patients, employees and visitors each year.”
More information on healthy eating can be found on the Department of Health’s website at www.health.pa.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
MEDIA CONTACT: Nate Wardle, 717-787-1783, or ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov
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