The Coalition for Plant-Based Food in Hospitals helps hospitals include plant-based meals in their food service offerings.
Eating a more plant-forward diet is a recommendation made by both the American Medical Association and American College of Cardiology, which says that “hospitalization can be a ‘teachable moment’ for patients who are ready to embrace nutrition as part of the healing process.” Oldways, the Humane Society of the United States, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Meatless Monday, and Greener by Default are five nonprofits providing support, resources, and hands-on trainings to hospital culinary teams to help them provide more plant-based meals.
Oldways is a food and nutrition nonprofit dedicated to improving public health by inspiring individuals and organizations to embrace the healthy, sustainable joys of the “old ways” of eating—heritage-based diets high in taste, nourishment, sustainability, and joy. The Oldways Plant Forward Plates Healthcare Toolkit provides 40+ dietitian-created recipes, menus, ordering guides, HACCP instructions, and additional guidance for adding 100% plant-based meal options to hospital menus.
For Resources: OldwaysPT.org/Toolkit
Contact: Kelly LeBlanc, MLA, RD, LDN ([email protected])
Since 2015, Humane World for Animals has partnered with the country’s largest foodservice companies, as well as individual hospitals, on plant-based nutrition education, culinary trainings, menu development, recipe creation, and marketing with the goal of increasing plant-based options in the cafeteria and on patient menus. Different types of virtual trainings are available for foodservice leaders, chefs, and clinicians within health care, including webinars, videos, and live Zoom hands-on learning events. The trainings address the health and environmental impacts of food, ways of marketing plant-based foods, and strategies on recipe development.
For Resources: Menu of Services
Contact: Dorrie Nang ([email protected])
Digital Media:
@forwardfoodcollaborative
Forward Food
Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a nonprofit organization that promotes preventive medicine, conducts clinical research, and encourages higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in education and research. The Physicians Committee provides numerous resources to organizations, hospitals, and individuals at no cost to improve health through good nutrition. With years of preventive health culinary training experience, we offer employee wellness programs, free CME, and grand rounds and lunch and learns, as well as other support to keep your staff healthy, vital, and satisfied. Menu consultation, free recipes, and marketing assets are available to support hospitals provide plant-based options to their patients and align with the AMA’s Healthy Food in Hospitals resolution, as well as state-specific laws (California, New York).
Toolkit: Healthy Food in Health Care Toolkit
For Resources: PCRM.org
Contact:
Anna Herby ([email protected])
Stephanie McBurnett ([email protected])
Digital Media:
PCRM.com
@Physicianscommittee
Meatless Monday encourages people to eat plant-based once a week for their health and the health of the planet. Our simple message provides a weekly reminder to take action on Monday, which research shows is the day people are most open to making healthy changes. Starting each week practicing Meatless Monday can also lead people to eat more plant-based meals and healthy foods throughout the week. We offer free resources for program implementation, marketing, foodservice teams, health and environmental education, and employee engagement. The campaign was launched in 2003 in association with the Center for a Livable Future at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
For Resources: Meatless Monday
Contact: Joy Lehman ([email protected])
Greener by Default makes plant-based food the default, while giving diners the choice to opt into meat/dairy. This strategy allows institutions to improve health and inclusivity, meet carbon reduction goals, and save on food costs, all while preserving freedom of choice. We consult with healthcare institutions to apply choice architecture to foodservice, looking at the variety of dishes offered, the way that they’re named and displayed to make healthy and sustainable plant-based options more abundant and appealing for all diners. Our program can be applied in any type of food service environment, from patient menus to retail/cafeteria and catered events. Services are provided free of charge to the healthcare sector.
Flyer: DinnerRx
For Resources:
https://www.greenerbydefault.com/culinary
Greener By Default Resource Guide
Guide for Internal Hospital Allies
Today’s Dietitian article: Transforming Hospital Food Culture
Digital Media:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/greener-by-default/
https://www.twitter.com/greenerdefault
greenerbydefault.com/healthcare
Contact: Heidi Fritz ([email protected])
