Thunder Bay’s Hospital is cleaning up their cafeteria and other food vendors by slowly eliminating junk food.
Spokesperson Cathy Paroschy Harris tells us they’ll be removing ultra-processed foods and beverages in the coming months.
“You can trust that the food is not high in salt, fat, sugar and that it contains more fibre, grain products that are whole wheat and not the processed white versions.”
After nearly two years of research, development, and engagement with staff, patients and community members, a new initiative called ‘Eating Healthy Together’ was unveiled to provide a supportive and healthy food environment for people visiting the hospital.
The hospital felt the need to be a leader in healthy eating since they are the ones who treat patients of chronic diseases related to poor dietary choices.
Dr. Stewart Kennedy tells us they are doing the right thing by removing junk food.
“I love the occasional Jujube so from my perspective not having it available here; it was a problem. It was an ethical dilemma to work through, taking away the decision making from customers, but at the end of the day because the disease rates are so high in our region, we need to take a leadership role.”
Kennedy adds they’ll be getting rid of chocolate bars, candy, soft drinks in their vending machines, and replacing them with well prepared healthy options.
A question and answer session on the new eating healthy plan is being held from 12:00 to 12:30 pm on Friday at the hospital in Auditorium A.
The hospital hopes to have new healthy menus and options fully in place by the summer or early fall.
