We’ve all been there. Lunchtime rolls around, and you realize that you forgot to pack a sandwich. Or, maybe you need a mid-afternoon boost of energy. In these instances, it’s easy to be tempted by a sugary snack or a convenient fast-food option. Luckily, at Penn Medicine, patients, families, and employees have access to delicious and nutritious food options.
As a health system, UPHS aims to provide an environment that supports and enhances health and well-being — and food and drink options are no exception. Penn Medicine participates in the Good Food, Healthy Hospitals (GFHH) initiative, a partnership between the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The GFHH initiative, funded by grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, engages Pennsylvania healthcare institutions to create a culture of food and health through the foods and beverages purchased, prepared, and sold each day. By participating, UPHS has signed a pledge and committed to implement standards for foods and beverages that fall into five categories: vending machines, overall purchasing, food and beverages served to patients, food and beverages served in cafeterias, and catering.
As part of the initiative, sugar-sweetened beverages were phased out in 2019 to support health and hydration. Now, in an effort to make snacking as easy and nutritious as possible, the health system is working to make changes to its vending machines. Next time you are shopping for a snack, you may notice you have access to healthier options. In fact, to attain GFHH compliance, 65 percent of the options in vending machines in Health System locations must meet the definition of a healthy or healthier snack option.
“Healthy food and snack options have incredible benefits on our overall health,” says Janna Rothschild, senior employee health and well-being coordinator, UPHS. “The right food choices can help increase nutrient intake, sustain energy levels, or help an individual recover from exercise. UPHS is proud to participate in the GFHH initiative to provide healthy options, and we look forward to continuing to enhance the food and drink options available in our hospitals.”
To read more about the Good Food Healthy Hospitals initiative, visit https://foodfitphilly.org/gfhh/.