NEW YORK-UNS: For National Nutrition Month, NYC Health + Hospitals in partnership with Sodexo today celebrated over 2 million plant-based meals served since the program began in March 2022. In 2024 alone, NYC Health + Hospitals served over 900,000 plant-based meals to its patients. Scientific research has shown that plant-based eating patterns are linked to significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers. They can also be effective for weight management as well as treatment of hypertension and hyperlipidemia. In addition to the considerable health benefits for patients, the transition to a plant-based menu led to a reduction in carbon emissions of 36% and a cost savings of 59 cents per meal. Patients who ate plant-based meals at NYC Health + Hospitals reported a satisfaction rate over 90%.
All meals served at NYC Health + Hospitals are made from scratch at the health system’s Culinary Center in Brooklyn.
All meals are made from scratch at the health system’s Culinary Center in Brooklyn. The culinary team includes Food Service Associates at each hospital who take the patient’s food order, educate them about the flavor and nutrition of the day’s plant-based options, and gather patient feedback about the meal. New recipes are piloted as a “Chef’s Recommendation” and only enter the menu rotation if they achieve an 80% patient satisfaction rate or above. Patients who are discharged from the hospital receive a booklet of plant-based recipes to make at home. Photos from the Culinary Center are available here. Executive Chef of Culinary Development Emmett McDonough describes some of the plant-based dishes in a set of new videos available here.
“When I was diagnosed with diabetes years ago, the lifestyle changes I made by switching to a plant-based diet and exercising regularly quickly improved my health and added years back to my life,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “I’m proud of our administration for making it a priority to expand New Yorkers’ life spans with our HealthyNYC initiative, for giving people who suffer from chronic illnesses coaching on how to change their lives with our Lifestyle Medicine program, and by serving more than 2 million plant-based meals to patients at NYC Health + Hospitals. By helping New Yorkers lead healthier lives, we are building a healthier city for us all.”
“The popularity of NYC Health + Hospitals plant-based defaults has shown that what’s good for you can also taste good to eat,” said Mayor’s Office of Food Policy Executive Director Kate MacKenzie. “With plant-based dishes that are not only nutritious, but also delicious and culturally relevant, hospitals are serving meals that extend the care patients receive and truly nourishing them as they heal. We’re excited to celebrate this milestone of two million plant-based meals that are improving the health of people and of our planet.”
“As we celebrate this incredible 3-year anniversary milestone of offering delicious and nutritious plant-based meals to our patients across the NYC Health + Hospitals system, I am filled with immense pride,” said Sodexo Vice President of Operations at NYC Health + Hospitals Samantha Morgenstern, MS, RD, CDN. “It’s truly inspiring to see how our food and nutrition teams work tirelessly every day to improve the well-being of our patients through the power of healthy, plant-based food. The dedication and passion behind every meal served are making a real difference in the lives of those we care for.
“It’s been an incredible three years,” said Sodexo Corporate Chef at NYC Health + Hospitals Philip DeMaiolo, CEC, AAC. “Crafting quality food has always been the first thought in mind. Crafting quality innovative food to help heal others is even more rewarding. I am so proud of our team, who have collaborated with NYC Health + Hospitals to be the first in the nation to introduce a successful robust plant-based menu.”
