Hospitals jump on the healthy food bandwagon

ATLANTA — When was the last time you got excited about going to the hospital … to eat the food?

For some, the thought of hospital food conjures up a plate of somewhat bland offerings. Don’t like the food? Just take a stroll to your nearest fast-food establishment, which is often right around the corner. But times are changing. It’s not just hipsters and chefs who are embracing local food. Our friends in the medical profession are buying into this concept, too, with doctors taking a more big-picture approach to health, including nutrition and exercise.

“The concept of food as medicine is finally gathering some momentum,” says Stacia Clinton, a registered dietitian with Healthcare Without Harm, an initiative that brings sustainable food options to the healthcare profession. “When healthcare understands that good food is medicine, too, clinicians will value it as part of their patient, community and environmental care.”

Major healthcare institutions such as Kaiser Permanente are piloting innovative programs in which physicians prescribe a mix of fresh fruits and vegetables to patients as part of a wellness plan. Neighborhood medical centers also are outfitted with the addition of farmers markets to help members gain easy access to nutritious options.

“For every dollar spent on local food, an additional dollar is generated in the surrounding community,” Clinton says. “Furthermore, farmers have a stable demand and revenue, and patients in food deserts have better access to healthy, fresh food.”