Tools and resources

Sutter Health: Food recovery for healthier communities

“Not only does this project impact greenhouse gasses from keeping food waste out of the landfill, it is also about dollars saved, which is important to hospital administrators, and then there is the food rescue piece which is what is really important to our community.” –  Jack Breezee, Sutter Health regional director of food and nutrition services Sutter Health knew they were wasting food…

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Meeting California's climate & organic waste challenges

Hospitals across California are required to be in compliance with the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery organic waste reduction mandates. California has implemented several regulations to increase the diversion of organic materials away from landfills and toward the production of value-added products like compost, fertilizers, and biofuels. California disposes…

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Climate and food infographics

Educate your patrons about how a plant-forward diet supports the environment with these fun and engaging resources.  An infographic (two design options below) illustrates the benefits of choosing a plant-forward meal and can be used to educate and reinforce patrons' good feelings after purchasing climate-friendly food.  A consumer-facing webpage practicegreenhealth.org/plantforwardpower …

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Pandemic perspective

• Benchmark Report

The COVID-19 pandemic upended health care and continues to have lasting impacts on the way we deliver care. It brought significant shifts in hospital operations, from shutting down elective surgeries and vastly reducing food service operations to dealing with monumental supply chain challenges and a rapid transition to telehealth.  Sustainability leaders at Practice Greenhealth partner…

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2022 sustainability data

• Benchmark Report

Each year, Practice Greenhealth collects and reviews comprehensive sustainability data from hospitals that report through the Environmental Excellence Awards. We provide the sector’s best sustainability performance benchmarking data to hospitals and health systems working to integrate sustainability into their mission, and to the health care supply chain partners that are integral to this work.…

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Sustainable food

The video below will provide an overview of the Impact Purchasing Commitment renewable electricity goal, rationale, data collection requirements, and supporting resources.

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Questions for suppliers about fair and safe labor practices

• Food
• Sustainable procurement

For hospitals unable to access any of the recommended certifications for a valued workforce, Health Care Without Harm and Practice Greenhealth have created a list of questions to ask food suppliers. Although these questions are most appropriate for direct purchases, we encourage you to consider how they might apply to distributors and other intermediaries. Learn more about ethical food…

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Understanding labels: Fair labor and sustainability practices

• Sustainable procurement
• Food

Practice Greenhealth and Health Care Without Harm recommend that food purchased carry one of these certifications when possible: the Agricultural Justice Project, Fair for Life, and Regenerative Organic. These certifications are recommended because of their commitment to addressing the social and economic determinants of health, individual health and safety of workers, and community resilience…

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Coolfood calculator and guide (World Resources Institute)

• Guide

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Playbook for plant-rich dishes in food service (World Resources Institute)

• Guide

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