2,000 Hospitals in the U.S. Will Start to Serve Natural and Organic Foods

More than 2,000 hospitals in the U.S. now have access to natural and organic foods, thanks to a deal announced today between MedAssets, a leading group purchasing organization for the health care industry, and United Natural Food Incorporated (UNFI), the largest publicly traded wholesale distributor to the natural and organic foods industry. The deal, which is the first contract between a major health care buyer and organic food distributor, reflects the growing demand in the health care industry for healthy food options.

To date, steps that hospitals have taken include: purchasing milk produced without bovine growth hormone, and poultry and meat produced without antibiotics; supporting local communities by hosting farmers' markets and sourcing local produce; and serving fair trade coffee, organic produce and locally grown foods.

Steve - stop the presses! The deplorable quality of hospital food is always something that has amazed us. It is the last place on earth where the food should be unhealthy. It is a nice start this alliance. They need to be doing this nationwide. Next up...get rid of all the fast food restaurants in hospitals as well!