Secretary Kennedy Secures Commitments from More Than 250 Hospitals to Make Hospital Food Healthier

Photo by Caleb Oquendo

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced that more than 250 hospitals nationwide have signed the Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge, committing to serve more nutritious food, strengthen nutrition educations, and make healthy eating a greater part of patient care. This initiative advances President Trump’s Make America Healthy Again agenda by putting nutrition and prevention at the center of healthcare.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced the milestone at Corewell Health Lifestyle and Culinary Medicine Practice in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

“Hospitals have a responsibility to promote health in every part of patient care, including the food they serve,” said Secretary 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.”

“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,” said Tina Freese Decker, Corewell Health president and CEO. “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 Secretary also unveiled a new badge recognizing hospitals that have signed the Pledge. The design bears the words “Committed to Excellence in Hospital Nutrition,” highlighting participating hospitals’ commitment to making healthier food part of patient care.

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,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “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.

By signing the pledge, more than 250 hospitals have committed to making nutrition a greater priority in the care they provide. 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.

As America marks the semiquincentennial anniversary of its independence, HHS is calling on hospitals to help build a legacy of better health for America’s next 250 years.