Maybe I meant an effort that is clearly initiated by an individual institution (and many of its officials and volunteers), a “bubble-up” effort, rather than a response to some regulatory or other governmental directive.

Or maybe I just meant that I was surprised to see such a full-fleshed program “suddenly” appear.

Regardless, it was very good news.

I am very happy to share that I am the Healthy Food in Health Care Coordinator for the Ecology Center and I actively work with many hospitals in the state working to serve healthier food to their patients, staff and communities!! To date these are the ones that have signed Health Care Without Harm’s Healthy Food Pledge: Bronson Methodist Hospital, Sparrow Hospital, Northern Michigan Regional Hospital, Borgess Health, Metro Health Hospital, Chelsea Community Hospital, Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, and Immaculate Heart of Mary.

You can take action too!: It’s great for all of you to tell your hospitals you would like them to serve local and/or organic foods.

Cheers!

Vivienne, I know you really didn’t mean “spontaneous” – perhaps unexpected? – as there was nothing spontaneous about the planning that went into this event or the anticipated future benefits to the entire community from this example of a health care institution putting emphasis on creating health versus treatment of disease.

I agree that this effort is hopeful, so much so that I will always now look at “hoop houses” as “hope houses”. :-)