Owensboro Well being Regional Hospital hosted a Meals is Medication roundtable Tuesday, bringing collectively farmers, hospital leaders and public officers to debate the connection between healthcare, diet and agriculture. Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell was current and took part in discussions about bettering well being outcomes by means of improved entry to native, nutritious meals.
Shell emphasised the significance of the initiative, which goals to combine wholesome, regionally sourced meals into Kentucky hospitals.
“This occasion is a part of a collection of regional conferences now we have referred to as Meals is Medication, in partnership with the Kentucky Hospital Affiliation,” Shell mentioned. “Hospitals are sometimes the most important shoppers of meals of their communities. Our aim is to search out methods to deliver contemporary, wholesome meals to hospital cafeterias, gross sales areas and affected person care, particularly by means of medically tailor-made meals containers after discharge for these affected by circumstances equivalent to diabetes and coronary heart illness. .
The occasion featured cooking demonstrations, farm-to-table meals, and displays on initiatives designed to fight meals insecurity. Among the many highlights was a cooking demonstration led by hospital cooks utilizing native produce and meat, showcasing the potential for hospitals to assist native agriculture.
Debbie Zuerner, director of group engagement and occasion organizer for Owensboro Well being, mentioned the assembly exceeded expectations.
“It was completely implausible,” Zuerner mentioned. “We had very significant conversations with farmers, hospital representatives and meals distributors. “The commissioner actually wished to open a dialogue about how we are able to purchase extra native produce and contemporary meat whereas additionally addressing the challenges of year-round pricing and product availability.”
Zuerner and his staff wished to verify the occasion highlighted the efforts already underway in Owensboro.
“We showcased our Cease the Waste frozen meal program and our partnerships with Morrison Healthcare and the senior heart,” Zuerner mentioned. “We additionally talked in regards to the success of our long-running Meals + Artwork + Well being occasion and launched our Wholesome Horizons initiative, which promotes entry to nutritious meals all through Daviess County.”
The dialogue addressed a number of boundaries to growing using native meals, such because the labor required to course of contemporary produce and the logistical challenges of distribution. Shell emphasised the necessity for stronger partnerships between healthcare suppliers and native farmers to beat these obstacles.
“The commissioner raised crucial questions on native purchasing and transportation boundaries,” Zuerner mentioned. “There was even speak of including a bus cease on the Owensboro Regional Farmers Market to extend accessibility.”
Owensboro Well being's Dr. Jim Tidwell praised the occasion for fostering significant dialogue.
“Commissioner Shell wished to get all of those stakeholders in the identical room to debate his initiatives, and I feel we completed that,” Tidwell mentioned. “We all know that elements exterior of hospitals, equivalent to meals insecurity, play an necessary function in well being outcomes and we’re dedicated to utilizing our affect to make a distinction in these areas.”
Tidwell famous that the hospital's involvement goes past the roundtable.
“We perceive that meals insecurity is a crucial social determinant of well being. “We might not be a meals pantry, however we are able to use our sources and partnerships to make an actual influence,” he mentioned.
The roundtable concluded with optimism about future collaborations between the agricultural and healthcare sectors.
“At the moment we had an important turnout: native farmers, hospital representatives and public officers have been a part of the dialogue,” Zuerner mentioned. “It’s thrilling to see Owensboro and Daviess County develop into leaders on this work. “All the things lined up completely for this occasion and we’re able to proceed constructing on that momentum.”