Growing healthy food communities

Health care accounts for approximately 18% of the U.S. economy and is the only sector with healing as its core mission. Hospitals can use their purchasing power and expertise to support community health and wealth beyond the hospital walls through supporting healthy and sustainable food systems.

Strengthen your local food economy and build resilience

  • Leveraging the power of procurement What you buy matters, your food purchasing decisions can transform the supply chain so that it reflects the values of health, equity, and environmental stewardship.
  • Invest for community benefit Community benefit Investments are one pathway for nonprofit hospitals to address healthy food access and strengthen the food system. Learn how hospitals can battle hunger and disease with plants and accelerate best practices to promote healthy food access and healthier food systems.
  • Anchored by health care: Strategies for health systems By focusing more on community engagement, health care organizations can drive systemic change, improve the root causes of health inequities and poor health outcomes, and build community-centered economies that promote health and well-being. Learn how to deepen your engagement with community partners to achieve goals for equity and resilience while working on a specific project or initiative. 

Join a regional innovation project: Community solutions

Across the country, hospitals, community-based organizations, and supply chain partners are collaborating to find implementable, community-driven solutions to critical food systems issues. 

Join a community solutions innovation project.