The Global Healthy Hospital Food Network: A Multidisciplinary and International Alliance for Healthier and Sustainable Hospital Food Systems
1
Physicians Association for Nutrition International, Zurich, Switzerland
2
Plant-Based Healthcare Professionals UK, London, United Kingdom
3
ProVeg International, Berlin, Germany
4
Greener By Default, Chicago, United States
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1454
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT:
Background and objective Hospital food influences patient recovery, staff wellbeing and the environmental footprint of healthcare institutions. The Global Healthy Hospital Food Network (GHHFN), hosted on the PANCO collaboration platform, was founded by Physicians Association for Nutrition International, Greener By Default, ProVeg International and Plant-Based Healthcare Professionals UK with the aim to connect hospitals, researchers, and policymakers worldwide to accelerate the transition towards healthier and more sustainable food systems in healthcare.
METHODS:
The GHHFN employs a systems-based, participatory approach combining digital collaboration, practice exchange, and peer learning. Members share evidence, implementation tools, and evaluation methods - particularly on healthy behaviour, outcome measurement, and climate-resilient operations. Network composition, expectations, and collaborations were analysed through an online intake questionnaire. The network was founded in January 2025 and data was pulled in January 2026.
RESULTS:
As of January 2026, the network includes 200 members from 16 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, and Oceania. The largest groups are dietitians (≈30 %), followed by medical doctors (≈20 %), nurses (≈10 %), and professionals in research, management, and sustainability (≈25 %). Around 40 % work directly in hospitals, 30 % in collaboration with hospitals, and the remainder in academia, NGOs or policy. Members’ expectations cluster around knowledge exchange, best practice sharing, and implementation support. Active collaborations exist with hospitals in the UK, Germany, India, Singapore, South Africa, and others. Early outcomes include a shared monitoring framework for “healthy and climate-friendly menus” and international learning sessions.
CONCLUSIONS:
A global, multidisciplinary network can drive change in hospital food systems by linking clinical expertise, management capacity and sustainability leadership. Digital cooperation through PANCO strengthens equity and accelerates institutional transformation.
Background and objective Hospital food influences patient recovery, staff wellbeing and the environmental footprint of healthcare institutions. The Global Healthy Hospital Food Network (GHHFN), hosted on the PANCO collaboration platform, was founded by Physicians Association for Nutrition International, Greener By Default, ProVeg International and Plant-Based Healthcare Professionals UK with the aim to connect hospitals, researchers, and policymakers worldwide to accelerate the transition towards healthier and more sustainable food systems in healthcare.
METHODS:
The GHHFN employs a systems-based, participatory approach combining digital collaboration, practice exchange, and peer learning. Members share evidence, implementation tools, and evaluation methods - particularly on healthy behaviour, outcome measurement, and climate-resilient operations. Network composition, expectations, and collaborations were analysed through an online intake questionnaire. The network was founded in January 2025 and data was pulled in January 2026.
RESULTS:
As of January 2026, the network includes 200 members from 16 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, and Oceania. The largest groups are dietitians (≈30 %), followed by medical doctors (≈20 %), nurses (≈10 %), and professionals in research, management, and sustainability (≈25 %). Around 40 % work directly in hospitals, 30 % in collaboration with hospitals, and the remainder in academia, NGOs or policy. Members’ expectations cluster around knowledge exchange, best practice sharing, and implementation support. Active collaborations exist with hospitals in the UK, Germany, India, Singapore, South Africa, and others. Early outcomes include a shared monitoring framework for “healthy and climate-friendly menus” and international learning sessions.
CONCLUSIONS:
A global, multidisciplinary network can drive change in hospital food systems by linking clinical expertise, management capacity and sustainability leadership. Digital cooperation through PANCO strengthens equity and accelerates institutional transformation.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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