The Drivers of Environmentally Sustainable Hospital Foodservices
Background: Hospital foodservices have the potential to positively contribute to the local food system and planetary healthcare. Understanding the factors contributing to the success of “exemplar hospitals” with environmentally sustainable foodservices gives an opportunity to reimagine foodservices...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-10-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Nutrition |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.740376/full |
| _version_ | 1819148644987699200 |
|---|---|
| author | Stefanie Carino Stefanie Carino Shirin Malekpour Judi Porter Judi Porter Jorja Collins Jorja Collins |
| author_facet | Stefanie Carino Stefanie Carino Shirin Malekpour Judi Porter Judi Porter Jorja Collins Jorja Collins |
| author_sort | Stefanie Carino |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Hospital foodservices have the potential to positively contribute to the local food system and planetary healthcare. Understanding the factors contributing to the success of “exemplar hospitals” with environmentally sustainable foodservices gives an opportunity to reimagine foodservices and guide strategic planning. The aim of this study was to identify the drivers of sustainable hospital foodservices.Methods: For this qualitative multiple case study, purposive sampling was used to identify exemplar hospitals internationally. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff with extensive knowledge of their foodservices to explore the drivers of sustainable practices. Relevant documents provided background on the case. These documents and interview data were analyzed using the framework and thematic analysis.Findings: There were 21 participants from 14 hospitals recruited across nine countries. Sustainable foodservice practices included local and organic food procurement, gardens onsite, vegetarian menus, re-serving unopened portion-controlled items, traditional foods, and food waste composting. Four themes were identified: initiating drivers, supporting enablers, challenges, and influence. Initiating drivers that “sparked” sustainable practices included the values of individuals or the hospital (e.g., community, environmental, or religious values), logical solutions to a problem, or government requirements. Enablers that facilitated success included motivated individuals, dedicated personnel, supportive leadership, internal protocols, and perceived benefits. External enablers included being part of member organizations, government requirements, and learning from other hospitals. Exemplar hospitals had broader influence, including educating the hospital community, supporting other hospitals, and influencing government policies/targets. Common challenges were staff resistance and inadequate policy directive.Interpretation: These findings examine the successful international cases of sustainable hospital foodservices to provide a global overview to assist with strategic planning both within hospitals and within governing bodies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T13:49:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d03edabc0f4c46e48bf7a88ecaef33f9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-861X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T13:49:00Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj.art-d03edabc0f4c46e48bf7a88ecaef33f92022-12-21T18:23:43ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2021-10-01810.3389/fnut.2021.740376740376The Drivers of Environmentally Sustainable Hospital FoodservicesStefanie Carino0Stefanie Carino1Shirin Malekpour2Judi Porter3Judi Porter4Jorja Collins5Jorja Collins6Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Notting Hill, VIC, AustraliaDietetics Department, Eastern Health, Box Hill, VIC, AustraliaMonash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, AustraliaDepartment of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Notting Hill, VIC, AustraliaSchool of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, AustraliaDepartment of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Notting Hill, VIC, AustraliaDietetics Department, Eastern Health, Box Hill, VIC, AustraliaBackground: Hospital foodservices have the potential to positively contribute to the local food system and planetary healthcare. Understanding the factors contributing to the success of “exemplar hospitals” with environmentally sustainable foodservices gives an opportunity to reimagine foodservices and guide strategic planning. The aim of this study was to identify the drivers of sustainable hospital foodservices.Methods: For this qualitative multiple case study, purposive sampling was used to identify exemplar hospitals internationally. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff with extensive knowledge of their foodservices to explore the drivers of sustainable practices. Relevant documents provided background on the case. These documents and interview data were analyzed using the framework and thematic analysis.Findings: There were 21 participants from 14 hospitals recruited across nine countries. Sustainable foodservice practices included local and organic food procurement, gardens onsite, vegetarian menus, re-serving unopened portion-controlled items, traditional foods, and food waste composting. Four themes were identified: initiating drivers, supporting enablers, challenges, and influence. Initiating drivers that “sparked” sustainable practices included the values of individuals or the hospital (e.g., community, environmental, or religious values), logical solutions to a problem, or government requirements. Enablers that facilitated success included motivated individuals, dedicated personnel, supportive leadership, internal protocols, and perceived benefits. External enablers included being part of member organizations, government requirements, and learning from other hospitals. Exemplar hospitals had broader influence, including educating the hospital community, supporting other hospitals, and influencing government policies/targets. Common challenges were staff resistance and inadequate policy directive.Interpretation: These findings examine the successful international cases of sustainable hospital foodservices to provide a global overview to assist with strategic planning both within hospitals and within governing bodies.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.740376/fullfoodservicehospitalsustainabilityfood systemsplanetary health |
| spellingShingle | Stefanie Carino Stefanie Carino Shirin Malekpour Judi Porter Judi Porter Jorja Collins Jorja Collins The Drivers of Environmentally Sustainable Hospital Foodservices Frontiers in Nutrition foodservice hospital sustainability food systems planetary health |
| title | The Drivers of Environmentally Sustainable Hospital Foodservices |
| title_full | The Drivers of Environmentally Sustainable Hospital Foodservices |
| title_fullStr | The Drivers of Environmentally Sustainable Hospital Foodservices |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Drivers of Environmentally Sustainable Hospital Foodservices |
| title_short | The Drivers of Environmentally Sustainable Hospital Foodservices |
| title_sort | drivers of environmentally sustainable hospital foodservices |
| topic | foodservice hospital sustainability food systems planetary health |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.740376/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT stefaniecarino thedriversofenvironmentallysustainablehospitalfoodservices AT stefaniecarino thedriversofenvironmentallysustainablehospitalfoodservices AT shirinmalekpour thedriversofenvironmentallysustainablehospitalfoodservices AT judiporter thedriversofenvironmentallysustainablehospitalfoodservices AT judiporter thedriversofenvironmentallysustainablehospitalfoodservices AT jorjacollins thedriversofenvironmentallysustainablehospitalfoodservices AT jorjacollins thedriversofenvironmentallysustainablehospitalfoodservices AT stefaniecarino driversofenvironmentallysustainablehospitalfoodservices AT stefaniecarino driversofenvironmentallysustainablehospitalfoodservices AT shirinmalekpour driversofenvironmentallysustainablehospitalfoodservices AT judiporter driversofenvironmentallysustainablehospitalfoodservices AT judiporter driversofenvironmentallysustainablehospitalfoodservices AT jorjacollins driversofenvironmentallysustainablehospitalfoodservices AT jorjacollins driversofenvironmentallysustainablehospitalfoodservices |