The 10 hospitals and outpatient centers of the MaineHealth system won the national “Healthier Future Award” from the Partnership for a Healthier America for providing and emphasizing healthy food options for visitors, patients and employees.
In 2010, the Partnership for a Healthier America was created in conjunction with — but independent from — First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! effort. The partnership is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that is led by some of the nation’s most respected health and childhood obesity experts.
Almost 10% of all hospitals in the United States have joined the partnership’s Hospital Healthier Food Initiative, with MaineHealth being one of the first hospital systems to join in October 2012, according to a news release.
Through this partnership, MaineHealth has worked to:
• Offer daily wellness meals that meet nutrition standards and are priced less than or equal to other available meal options
• Increase healthier options in the checkout area by displaying only health-promoting food options within five feet of cash register stations
• Label menu items with calories per serving
• Remove all fryers and most deep fat-fried products
• Ensure that fruits and vegetables account for at least 10% of total food purchased by the hospital
• Increase the percentage of better-for-you beverages purchased by the hospital.
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