Harrisburg, PA - Pennsylvania Department of Health officials yesterday joined leaders from the City of Philadelphia to virtually recognize the 38 hospitals participating in the Good Foods, Healthy Hospitals program. The program works to create a culture of health by offering nutritious foods and beverages to patients, visitors and employees and promoting locally sourced and sustainably produced products since 2014.
“The Pennsylvania Department of Health is proud to partner with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to implement food service guidelines and ensure healthier food and beverages are available daily for thousands of patients, employees and visitors,” Secretary of Health Dr. Levine said. “Having access to healthy, local food is essential to the health and well-being of all Pennsylvanians. The commitment to provide better nutrition to hospitals across Pennsylvania is commendable.”
Healthcare facilities participating in Good Food, Healthy Hospitals 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 Pennsylvania Department of Health for technical assistance and collaboration with participating hospitals.
“I applaud all of the hospitals that are participating in the Good Food, Healthy Hospitals initiative,” City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said. They are leading the way, shifting the perception of what hospital food is, setting an example for what it can be, and influencing patients, staff and visitor’s food preferences and habits more broadly outside the hospital environment.”
In the expansion of Good Food, Healthy Hospitals over the past two years, St. Luke’s University Health Network, Geisinger and Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic have signed the pledge for a total of 38 participating hospitals located in 18 counties across the commonwealth. In Philadelphia, 16 hospitals continue implementation of food service guidelines.
“Throughout this year, the impact of COVID-19 introduced new challenges for healthcare food service operations and drastically affected food purchasing, handling, and service,” Cindy Findley, Deputy Secretary for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at the Pennsylvania Department of Health said. “Hospitals participating in Good Food, Healthy Hospitals are rising to the challenge and seeking new and innovative ways to supply nourishing meals to staff and patients every day while meeting broader health and safety requirements.”
The expansion across Pennsylvania is made possible by the State Physical Activity and Nutrition (SPAN) Program grant and Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant. Pennsylvania was one of 16 states awarded the SPAN grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2018.
More information on healthy eating can be found on the Department of Health’s website at www.health.pa.gov
For more information about Good Food, Healthy Hospitals, visit www.foodfitphilly.org
MEDIA CONTACT: Nate Wardle - 717-787-1783 or ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov
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