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Hospital food that’s healthy for patients and the environment
Mark Prigg5 Feb 2009
A London hospital was today shortlisted for an environmental award for its food.
The Royal Brompton in Chelsea has worked with farmers and dairies to create menus based on sustainable produce. Today it was named as one of 38 organisations up for the City of
London Corporation's Sustainable City awards. Hospital bosses have spent five years refining the menus and finding farm suppliers.
Seasonal fruit and vegetables are sourced from Bank Farm in Ashford, Kent, and organic milk and yoghurt supplied by Windmill Farm in Bedford.
The hospital has even begun making its own soups to cut down on the food miles of processed alternatives. This has resulted in a 40 per cent rise in the number of orders from patients.
Menus now include shepherd's pie made with beef raised in Kent, and cakes and pudding made from organic milk from Bedfordshire.
Mike Duckett, catering manager at the Royal Brompton, said: “We make and cook our food on the premises using fresh ingredients, there are no ready meals. Twenty per cent of our food is either locally grown, or from organic sources.
“We try to provide dishes people instantly recognise but in a healthier version — for instance low-fat burgers, meatballs and 100 per cent chicken-meat nuggets.
“This is particularly important when you are encouraging children to eat.”
The scheme has been a huge success with patients, and the hospital's patient satisfaction rate is 20 per cent higher than the national average.
Douglas Wanstall runs Bank Farm and has been supplying the hospital for three years. The family farm, which has been operating since 1918, also acts as a hub for local farms, selling their
produce.
“We've been working with the hospital for a long time, and try to advise them what is seasonal so they can alter their menus.
“We work very closely with local farmers, so we try and make sure they get as much local produce as possible.”
Other firms on the shortlist include Reading council, Café Spice Namaste in Whitechapel, and Transport for London. Winners will be announced by Zac Goldsmith at a Mansion House ceremony on 19 February.
Simon Mills of the City of London Corporation said: “Businesses are continuing to recognise how environmental initiatives can have a real impact.”
