By Healthcare Facilities Today

Hospital food doesn't have the greatest reputation, but Halton’s hospitals hope to change that, according to an article on the Inside Halton website

With $107,000 grant from the Greenbelt Fund and the Ontario government, Halton Healthcare Services (HHS) will be serving local food as well as developing a variety of sandwiches using local deli meats at its cafeterias in Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital', Georgetown and Milton District hospitals, the article said.

"This project means providing local food options to healthcare facilities that can be replicated by other hospitals," Greenbelt Fund CEO Burkhard Mausberg said in the article. "The result — more local food for Ontarians and a better patient, staff, and visitor experience."

The Greenbelt Fund, a non-profit organization created to support and enhance the viability, integrity and sustainability of agriculture in the 1.8 million acres of protected lands surrounding the Golden Horseshoe and Ontario, has invested $7.4 million in 78 projects since its 2010 launch to support innovative food projects across Ontario.

"Our hospitals serve more than 300,000 residents in the Halton Region – and being able to serve more fresh and locally-grown food options to our patients and their families while they are in our care will help enhance our culture of care," said Elma Hrapovich, HHS director of nutrition & food services.

Read the article.