Topeka hospitals scope out ways to encourage healthier dining choices

TOPEKA, Kan.–Both Topeka hospital systems will assess their food service and look for ways to encourage healthier choices through a partnership with the Kansas Hospital Association.

Cindy Samuelson, vice president of member services and public relations for the Kansas Hospital Association, said 51 hospitals statewide, including St. Francis Health and Stormont-Vail HealthCare, had pledged to examine their food and beverage practices and make changes to promote healthier choices by staff and visitors. Some already have policies to encourage healthy eating, but their approaches and the amount of emphasis on it vary, she said.