Publication Date
12-1-2024
Journal
Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics
DOI
10.1111/jhn.13357
PMID
39099188
PMCID
PMC11586624
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
12-1-2024
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Author MSS
Published Open-Access
yes
Keywords
Humans, United States, Food Service, Hospital, Qualitative Research, Hospitals, Veterans, Surveys and Questionnaires, Conservation of Natural Resources, Food Loss and Waste
Abstract
BACKGROUND: To improve the healthfulness of foods offered while accelerating the use of environmental sustainability practices, it is important to engage hospital food service operators in the adoption of such practices. The purpose of this study was to explore barriers, facilitators and best practices for implementing environmental sustainability standards in food service among veterans affairs (VA) hospitals in the United States.
METHODS: We conducted an online survey with 14 VA hospital food service directors and then 11 qualitative interviews. The survey assessed motivations for initiating sustainability standards and included a self-rating of implementation for each of five standards: increasing plant-forward dishes, procuring and serving sustainable foods that meet organic/fair trade and other certifications, procuring and serving locally produced foods, reducing food waste and reducing energy consumption. Interviews were transcribed verbatim. Qualitative analysis, including coding of themes and subthemes, was conducted by two coders to determine barriers, facilitators and best practices for each of these five standards. Quantitative methods (counts and frequencies) were used to analyse the survey data.
RESULTS: Participants had an average of 5 years of experience implementing sustainability standards. The top three motivators cited were reducing food waste, serving healthier foods and increasing efficiency or cost savings. Barriers revolved around patient preferences, contractual difficulties and costs related to reducing waste. Facilitators included taste testing new recipes that include more sustainable food options and easy access to sustainable products from the prime vendor. Best practices included making familiar dishes plant-forward and plate waste studies to prevent overproduction.
CONCLUSIONS: Although there were many barriers to implementation, food service directors had solutions for overcoming challenges and implementing food service sustainability standards, which can be tested in future sustainability initiatives.
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Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Commons, Internal Medicine Commons, Medical Sciences Commons, Quality Improvement Commons
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