Food That Is Healthy, Local and Responsible
Not long ago, food was purchased from a friendly farmer in the neighborhood. Now a large portion of food products travel between 1,500 and 2,500 miles before they get to the plate, which can threaten nutritional quality, the stability of local economies, and environmental health due to pollutants emitted from travel.
Across the region, people are shifting the way they buy, prepare, offer and dispose of food to a model that takes human and environmental health into consideration. At University Hospitals, we strive to achieve a sustainable food system in order to protect and enhance the health of our patients, staff and communities.
We seek to:
- Increase food purchases from responsibly-managed, locally-based farms
- Expand our system-wide farmers markets and healthy food choices in our cafeterias and vending machines
- Reduce our food waste through a comprehensive composting program and return nutrient-rich organic matter to the local landscape