Strategies to Help Health Care Organizations Execute Their Food System Leadership Responsibilities

Food systems influence environmental sustainability and health. The fact that our current food production and distribution practices neither support nor promote planetary or human health raises ethical concerns. Since health organizations offer food to patients, community members, and employees, they are situated at key intersections among food systems, agricultural policies and practices, and public health. This article considers the nature and scope of health care organizations’ local food system leadership responsibilities and describes how health care organizations’ food practices can help improve health outcomes and motivate equity.