News Releases
MARYLAND HOSPITALS AND SCHOOLS OF NURSING UNVEIL LOCAL FOODS FOR LOCAL HOSPITALS PROGRAM
Program Highlights Fresh Food Supplies from Maryland Farmers
WHAT: The Maryland Hospitals for a Healthy Environment Initiative coordinated by the University of Maryland School of Nursing jointly announces with more than 20 Maryland hospitals a program to use locally-grown, chemical-free food supplies for patient and staff meals.
WHEN: Tuesday, July 1, 10-11 a.m.
WHERE: Mercy Medical Center, Weinberg Center, Truman Semans Conference Room 227 St. Paul Street. (Dan Collins has arranged parking for TV trucks has been arranged at the adjacent Saratoga Garage on the first level)
WHO: Louise Mitchell, University of Maryland School of Nursing, project coordinator; Steve Lentz, Mercy Medical Center representative, District Manager/Cura Hospitality; Joan Norman, One Straw Farm, Maryland organic farmer
INFO: In cooperation with the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Maryland Hospital Association, a growing number of Maryland hospitals led by four hospitals in the metropolitan Baltimore area, have agreed to all or part of the Local Foods to Local Hospitals initiative. The goals of the initiative are (1) less reliance on national food distribution, resulting in increased food security and food safety, (2) support for small farms and the state economy, (3) increased hospital composting practices. The initiative also is intended to reduce transportation costs.
The event will begin with a short briefing on the program by representatives of the University of Maryland School of Nursing and Mercy Medical Center followed by opportunities for one-on-one interviews with various participating representatives. At 10:30 a.m., there will be a photo opportunity in front of the Weinberg Building as organic farmer Joan Norman from One Straw Farm in White Hall will arrive with her shipment of food for Mercy Medical Center. She will be available for interviews.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore, is home to the Dental School, Graduate School, and schools of law, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health, and social work. It is the founding campus of the University System of Maryland.
