More NW hospitals buy local foods

SEATTLE—As Northwest farms continue to expand their direct sales strategies, hospitals have joined the ranks of schools, universities and corporate campuses as large institutional buyers looking for local products.

“Hospitals are an exciting new market for farms,” says Lucy Norris, director of marketing for Northwest Agricultural Business Center. “It makes perfect sense that hospitals would want to serve healthy, delicious and clean food to their patients, employees and visitors. Increasing local food procurement and working directly with farms can be an important way for hospitals to demonstrate their commitment to sustaining a healthy environment, the health of their patients and community and the economic viability of sustainable farms.

As Northwest farms continue to expand their direct sales strategies, hospitals have joined the ranks of schools, universities and corporate campuses as large institutional buyers looking for local products.