Effingham Health System announced that Morrison Cafeteria, located on the hospital campus, has become the first health care food contract company to commit to the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) and its Hospital Healthy Food Initiative.  This effort seeks to move health care institutions toward delivering healthy and nutritious options to the communities they serve.

Atlanta-based Morrison’s commitment to this initiative will impact 41 million patients and 403 million guest meals sold in hospital cafes nationwide.

“This commitment is an extension of our already well-established wellness platform and programs, which align with PHA goals and the mission of their organization,” said Tim Pierce, CEO of Morrison. “We’ve been at the forefront of the industry on health and wellness for more than two decades. The PHA partnership is an extension of our philosophy of offering wholesome, nutritious foods that allow us to make healthy choices.”

Some of the practices encouraged by this initiative include eliminating sugar from bottled beverages, switching to whole grain or legume-based pasta, offering whole grains as an alternative to rice, and reducing fat calories by using healthier misted oils in appropriate applications.

“We can all benefit from a healthier diet,” said Norma Jean Morgan, CEO at Effingham Health System. “Vegetables and fruit are always a better choice than a hamburger and fries, but there isn’t much time to eat healthy in this fast-paced world we live in. Come to the hospital, get a tray, and let our kitchen staff treat you to Sunday dinner every day of the week. If you don’t have time to sit down, we’ll box it up so you can take it with you.”

Visit www.aHealthierAmerica.org to learn more about PHA.