5 things: Report finds food-as-medicine strategies could save billions in healthcare costs

In this edition of 5 Things, Food Management highlights five things you may have missed recently about developments affecting onsite dining.

Here’s your list for today:

 1.    Report says billions in healthcare costs could be saved with food-as-medicine implementation

The True Cost of Food: Food is Medicine Case Study from researchers at the Food is Medicine Institute at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University reports that national implementation of Medically Tailored Meals in Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance for patients with both a diet-related condition and limited ability to perform activities of daily living could avert approximately 1.6 million hospitalizations and result in an estimated net savings of $13.6 billion in health care costs in the first year alone, after accounting for implementation costs. Further, the report shows that national implementation of produce prescription programs for patients with both diabetes and food insecurity could avert 292,000 cardiovascular events and add 260,000 quality-adjusted life years

Read more: Food is Medicine strategies could save billions in healthcare costs

 2.    California raises fast food minimum wage to $20/hour

Starting next April, fast-food workers in California will earn a minimum of $20 an hour and have a greater say in setting workplace standards under a new bill signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. The median fast-food worker in the U.S. earned $13.43 an hour in 2022, while those in California made an average of $16.60 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Related:5 tech things: ezCater announces workplace catering partnership with Panera

Read more: California minimum wage for fast food workers raised to $20 an hour

 3.    Single-use plastics to be phased out at national parks

The US government has announced plans to phase out single-use plastics on public lands, including the country's national parks, by 2032. Much of the single-use plastic waste generated in federally run national parks, wildlife refuges and conservation lands comes from water bottles, bags or utensils, all of which are being targeted in the phaseout.

Read more: Plan Will Phase out Single-use Plastics at National Parks

 4.    Philadelphia school foodservice workers reach tentative labor deal

The 1,900 people who prepare and serve Philadelphia School District students’ food and monitor schools’ hallways and playgrounds have reached a tentative four-year deal that gives them a $500 signing bonus, plus raises of $1.50, $1.10, $1.00 and $1.00 over the life of the contract. The new pact must still be ratified by union members, who will vote on it in early October, and approved by the school board after ratification.

Related:5 things: NFL’s Packers plan to go all grab-and-go at Lambeau Field

Read more: Philly’s school cafeteria workers and climate staff have a tentative contract, with raises

 5.    Tesla plans massive Cyber Cafeteria at Texas Gigafactory complex

Tesla has applied for a permit to build a cafeteria at its Texas Gigafactory complex to support its growing workforce, documents filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation reveal. With an estimated cost of $10.5 million that includes various renovation and alteration work, the so-called Cyber Cafeteria will occupy 22,639 square feet of space, with construction starting Oct. 25 and completion slated for May 1 of next year. Tesla now has over 20,000 people working every day at the Texas Gigafactory, according to a recent report from the Austin Business Journal, and the number is expected to grow to over 60,000 after the delayed Cybertruck finally goes into production sometime later this year.

Read more: Tesla To Build 22K-Square-Foot Cafeteria For Growing Giga Texas Workforce

Bonus: Are you ready for some meatball?

Contact Mike Buzalka at [email protected]