Opinion: Harnessing the healing power of food in Canadian health care

Vancouver Sun Op-Ed

Planetary Health Menu Pilot featuring Korean Gochujang Bowl by Chef Ned Bell - Credit Leila Kwok

Opinion: An estimated half of food served to patients goes uneaten. The Planetary Health Menu project at Vancouver General Hospital is testing the power of food with diverse and delicious menu items

Author of the article:

Dr. Annie Lalande, Ned Bell, Lana Brandt

Published Apr 10, 2024  •  Last updated 53 minutes ago  •  3 minute read

Canada is warming at more than twice the global rate and there is no shortage of headlines ringing the climate alarm louder than ever. The escalating environmental impacts from the climate emergency underscore the intricate interplay between human health and the well-being of our planet. As extreme temperatures become more common and air quality continues to be threatened by a fifth new season dedicated to forest fires, the toll on respiratory and cardiovascular health will continue to increase. And the risk of diseases transmitted to people from insects and animals and extreme weather events will impact human health and the infrastructure of health care. This burden unfortunately falls hardest on the most vulnerable members of our society, including our children, elders, those grappling with chronic health conditions, and individuals navigating the inequities of low socioeconomic status.

Responding to climate change mitigation and adaptation with bold courage is imperative for safeguarding planetary health and the future of generations to come. The health care sector has a tremendous opportunity to align with its core tenet of “do no harm” by taking bold climate leadership and addressing its current footprint.

A growing number of health care providers are realizing the under-utilized solution of food as medicine. Food powerfully intersects human and planetary health, making clear that nature and humans can only thrive together. The EAT-Lancet report identifies that our current food system operates beyond our planetary boundaries, and food is the single most powerful lever for returning to balance. Shifting away from intensively farmed meat and dairy to create menus where plant-based proteins and local, fresh ingredients take the spotlight will not only cut emissions but also improve patient healing.

Food in Canadian health care is a $4-billion annual opportunity to take significant climate action three times a day in health care food services and reduce food waste — an estimated half of food served to patients goes uneaten.

An innovative network of health care providers is leading in food-related solutions in Canada. As an organization dedicated to the transition toward more preventative, equitable, and sustainable health care systems, Nourish works with leaders through organizations like Vancouver Coastal Health, which has tested and proven the power of food with its Planetary Health Menu project at Vancouver General Hospital. Data is being gathered on patient experience and food waste and, over the coming months, the menu items that patients enjoyed the most will be incorporated into menus across VCH.

The project brought together food service leaders, dietitians, clinicians and sustainability experts to work alongside Ned Bell, renowned chef and sustainable food ambassador. Together, they created over two dozen diverse and delicious menu items that feature lower-impact and primarily plant-powered ingredients. The project also engaged local farmers and artisans to source fresh, local, and seasonal food where possible.

Health care providers have a timely opportunity to demonstrate leadership in planetary health. By transitioning to planetary health menus, institutions can leverage their significant buying power to improve healing, health equity, and climate action.

It is an opportunity to shift the way we think about hospital food to recognize the central role it plays in recovery from illness and injury, and to better nourish people. It is also a chance for health care organizations to not only model healthy and more sustainable eating patterns, but to provide inspiration for patients to maintain such practices at home, amplifying the lasting impact of such a change.

Canada was one of 124 countries that committed to the Climate and Health Declaration at the COP28 World Climate Action Summit. From tracking and reducing emissions data through the Coolfood Pledge to weaving Indigenous food ways into health care menus, concerted policy efforts can help address climate and health care challenges.

Health care has a timely opportunity — not to mention a moral imperative — to lead through daily action to address the climate emergency. By applying the power of food and shifting to sustainable and inclusive health care food service, together we can advance climate action, health equity, and community wellbeing. You can learn more about Planetary Health Menus at NourishLeadership.ca.

Dr. Annie Lalande is a surgical resident at Vancouver General Hospital; Ned Bell is a chef and sustainable food ambassador; Lana Brandt is strategic communications and engagement manager at Nourish.

2023 Food for Health Symposium Explores Indigenous Foodways & Solutions in Health Care

2023 Food for Health Symposium Explores Indigenous Foodways & Solutions in Health Care 

Traditional Foods offer Pathways to Reconciliation, Improved Patient Healing, and Equity

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Saskatoon (September 20, 2023) - Today, Nourish proudly joins the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and CHEP Good Food in co-hosting the second national Food for Health Symposium in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The two-day event brings together health care leaders to address the historical roots of food insecurity and food sovereignty while realizing the untapped power of food in health care. 

“Nourish is thrilled to co-host this year’s Symposium with CHEP Good Food and SHA where we can celebrate years of partnership and incredible efforts to weave Indigenous foodways into Saskatchewan communities and health care,” said Jen Reynolds, Co-Executive Director of Nourish. “There are vital linkages between food and health outcomes and this year’s Symposium provides exciting Learning Journeys, workshops, and keynote speakers, including Dr. Elisa Levi, food sovereignty expert and Dr. Priscilla Settee, USask Indigenous Professor will explore this important work,” continued Reynolds.

“I continue to see Nourish’s commitment towards elevating the notion that food is medicine, together with a growing network of communities and institutions which includes navigating the right to traditional food in health care. My hope is that more organizations incorporate the strengths of Indigenous Peoples towards systems change,” said Dr. Elisa Levi, food sovereignty advocate. 

The Symposium includes land-based experiences to highlight and learn about Indigenous Foodways with local hosts including at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Whitecap Dakota First Nation, and Saskatoon City Hospital. 

Nourish invites everyone interested in food for health to join our work and explore Nourish’s Food is Our Medicine program to advance health equity, climate action, and patient healing. 

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Nourish empowers health care to embrace food as medicine to advance health equity, climate action, and community well-being. We work to harness the untapped and neglected power of food in health care to transition to food and health systems that build health for patients and the planet.

Saskatchewan Health Authority is the largest organization in Saskatchewan, employing more than 40,000 employees and physicians. Together, we are responsible for the delivery of safe, high quality health care for the entire province.

CHEP Good Food For over 30 years, CHEP Good Food has operated within a capacity building

model, working with children, families, and communities to improve access to good food and promote food security so that we can achieve our vision of a food secure community.

Media Contact: Lana Brandt, Communications Manager

Phone: 778.833.2954 Email: lbrandt@nourishleadership.ca

Click here for the 2023 Symposium Electronic Press Kit.

Nourish Calls on Health Sector to Address Food Insecurity in Canada

Nourish Calls on Health Sector to Address Food Insecurity in Canada

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Saskatoon (September 20, 2023) - The national Nourish Food for Health Symposium kicks off today in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan with a central theme around the hidden costs of Canadian food insecurity on health and the need for policy shifts. From heightened chronic conditions linked to inadequate access to food to the pressures that food insecurity puts on the health care system — identifying solutions to addressing these issues is essential in enabling health and well-being in communities throughout Canada.

“At Nourish, we see a significant opportunity for the health care sector to address the root issues of food insecurity with improved policies and investments for more preventative health strategies,” said Jen Reynolds, Co-Executive Director of Nourish. “The Food for Health Symposium provides a space to connect and explore the policies and financial commitment required to improve food access, tackle health inequities, and support more sustainable food systems,” continued Reynolds.

“In Canada, 18.4% of people are impacted by food insecurity, including one in four children, which is why the Maple Leaf Centre for Food Security and Nourish are working together to address the health inequities that stem from lack of access to food. It is especially urgent to support the communities most impacted by food insecurity, including the Indigenous and Black households that experience food insecurity rates two to three times higher than the national average,” said Sarah Stern, Leader of Maple Leaf Centre for Food Security. 

The pandemic has placed a tremendous burden on our health care system and record-high food prices and climate-related food supply chain interruptions will only continue to exacerbate food insecurity in Canada. Food prescription programs are being piloted and are gaining attention allowing health care workers to provide nourishing foods to patients and communities in need, but prescriptions alone won’t address the deeper systemic issues at hand. Nourish continues to work in partnership with The Maple Leaf Centre for Food Security and other allies to build awareness around the compelling need for action to reduce food insecurity and exploring opportunities with the health sector to advocate for bold policies that invest in upstream causes to address poverty and enable food security for all in Canada. 

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Nourish empowers health care to embrace food as medicine to advance health equity, climate action, and community well-being. We work to harness the untapped and neglected power of food in health care to transition to food and health systems that build health for patients and the planet.

The Maple Leaf Centre for Food Security ("the Centre") is a registered charity committed to working collaboratively to reduce food insecurity in Canada by 50% by 2030. The Centre advocates for critical public policies and invests in knowledge building and programs that advance the capacity of people and communities to achieve sustainable food security. The Centre was created in 2016 and is governed by a board of directors, including four independent experts.

Saskatchewan Health Authority is the largest organization in Saskatchewan, employing more than 40,000 employees and physicians. Together, we are responsible for the delivery of safe, high quality health care for the entire province.

CHEP Good Food For over 30 years, CHEP Good Food has operated within a capacity building

model, working with children, families, and communities to improve access to good food and promote food security so that we can achieve our vision of a food secure community.

Media Contact: Lana Brandt, Communications Manager

Phone: 778.833.2954 Email: lbrandt@nourishleadership.ca