Presbyterian Healthcare Services in Albuquerque, N.M., is seeking business relationships with New Mexican farmers and ranchers to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry products, according to an article on the Albuquerque Journal website.

Prospera Partners, the Hispanic-American Institute and Delicious New Mexico have entered into a contract to source locally grown and sustainably prepared food for some of the 3 million meals per year that Presbyterian serves.

The Local and Sustainable Food Procurement Program is part of Presbyterian’s healthy eating priority, which is one aspect of a larger community health plan and aligns with the Healthy Food in Healthcare  — a national initiative of Healthcare Without Harm.

Nationwide, health care institutions spend $12 billion in the food and beverage sector each year, according to a survey of hospital food service directors. 

Read the article.