Corewell Health is among more than 250 hospitals nationwide that signed the Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge commitment by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the milestone Monday at the Corewell Health Lifestyle and Culinary Medicine Practice in Grand Rapids.
The goal of the program serves as a commitment by participating hospitals to select, prepare, and serve more nutritious food, strengthen nutrition educations, and make healthy eating a greater part of patient care.
The Secretary also unveiled a new badge that recognizes hospitals that have signed the Pledge. The badge — Committed to Excellence in Hospital Nutrition — highlights the commitment by hospitals to make healthier food part of patient care.
“Hospitals have a responsibility to promote health in every part of patient care, including the food they serve,” says Kennedy. “More than 250 hospitals are taking action to improve nutrition for their patients, staff, and communities. I am calling on every hospital in America to join them, sign the pledge, and help make healthy food a standard part of health care.”
In Michigan, Corewell Health was the sole hospital that joined the voluntary program. The 18 hospitals from Corewell Health included area locations in Dearborn, Farmington Hills, Grosse Pointe, Royal Oak, Taylor, Trenton, Troy, and Wayne.
“As part of our commitment to make health better, Corewell Health supports the Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge, which builds on work we have been doing for years to improve the meals we serve our patients,” says Tina Freese Decker, president and CEO of Corewell Health.
“We are focused on serving whole foods, cutting back on sugar and sodium, and using healthier cooking methods. Nutrition is an important part of patient care, which we train our current and future physicians to incorporate. The right food choices are always guided by conversations between patients, physicians, and their care teams.”
The full list of hospitals currently participating in the program can be found here.
Secretary Kennedy and Administrator Oz launched the voluntary pledge in July, inviting hospitals nationwide to serve healthier meals that align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The initiative recognizes nutrition as an essential part of patient care, recovery, and long-term health.
“Food is part of health care, and what we serve patients should reflect that understanding,” says Dr. Mehmet Oz, CMS Administrator. “More than 250 hospitals are voluntarily stepping up to make nutritious food a greater part of the care they provide — giving patients healthier choices while they recover and practical nutrition knowledge they can take home.
“This pledge is about a simple idea: the important role hospitals play in helping Americans build healthier lives, both during their stay and after they leave.”
Participating hospitals commit to reviewing and aligning their food service practices with the Dietary Guidelines, where clinically appropriate and feasible.
Recommendations include limiting ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages; prioritizing minimally processed proteins, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains; and using cooking methods such as baking, roasting, and grilling instead of deep frying.
The pledge also encourages hospitals to expand healthier choices for staff and visitors, equip patients with nutrition knowledge they can use after discharge, and support community nutrition programs. These commitments extend the reach of healthier hospital food beyond a patient’s stay.
HHS will continue encouraging hospitals across the country to join and translate those commitments into practical changes in purchasing, meal preparation, and patient education.
Hospitals can learn more and sign the Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge here.
