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Hospital menus are going local in Halton by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff 5 | Wednesday, February 5, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Hospital food doesn't always have the greatest reputation, but Halton's hospitals hope to change that, said Greenbelt Fund CEO Burkhard Mausberg. Thanks to a $107,000 grant from the Greenbelt Fund and the Ontario government, he told guests gathered in Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital's (OTMH) Parsons Pantry Cafeteria Friday how the cash will put more green on the hospital menu. Halton Healthcare Services (HHS) will be serving local food and developing a variety of sandwiches using local deli meats at its cafeterias in OTMH, Georgetown and Milton District hospitals. "This project means providing local food options to healthcare facilities that can be replicated by other hospitals," said Mausberg. "The result -- more local food for Ontarians and a better patient, staff, and visitor experience." The Greenbelt Fund is a non-profit organization created to support and enhance the viability, integrity and sustainability of agriculture. Specifically, that's in the 1.8-million acres of protected lands surrounding the Golden Horseshoe and Ontario. It has invested $7.4 million across 78 projects supporting innovative food projects across Ontario since its 2010 launch. Mausberg said every dollar invested in the projects has returned $4 to Ontario's Halton Healthcare Services (HHS) and Gordon Food Services are receiving funding to increase fresh, locally-grown produce on the menu of local hospitals. The grant announcements were made Friday at Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. From left, Burkhard Mausberg, CEO of the Greenbelt Fund, Jim Robinson, Gordon Food Services' marketing director, Elma Hrapovich, HHS director of nutrition and food services, and Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn. | photo by Graham Paine ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) economy. The Province's total investments towards broader sector programming has resulted in $26 million in Ontario foods in daycares, schools, universities and other public institutions. Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn was on hand Friday and noted buying local food reinvigorates communities and keeps dollars in the province. "When we choose to buy and eat locallygrown food, we support the local food producers, but we also support the agri-food sector that does so much and contributes so much to Ontario's economy," he said. HHS will be partnering with Gordon Food Services and Signature Culinary Solutions to deliver meals to patients, staff and visitors. "Our hospitals serve more than 300,000 residents in the Halton Region -- and being able to serve more fresh and locally-grown food options to our patients and their families while they are in our care will help enhance our culture of care," said Elma Hrapovich, HHS Director of Nutrition & Food Services. "The Greenbelt Fund provides us with the opportunity to build local networks and support Ontario producers, as we develop a local food policy for HHS, helping lead the way for other healthcare facilities in Ontario." Gordon Food Services is also receiving $37,500 from the Greenbelt Fund to conduct market research and develop a strategic plan to create three new food service hubs in Niagara, GTA/Central Ontario and Eastern Ontario. Jim Robinson, Gordon Food Service's marketing director, said the food service distributor is excited about continuing to support Ontario farmers and producers, which is part of its longterm strategy. He said over the next few months the company will be gathering data to see how well-penetrated local produce, protein and dairy items are in restaurants across southern Ontario. "That will really lay out a map, if you will, of what farmers/producers should be making to meet the needs of the restaurant marketplace in southern Ontario," he said, adding it will identify demand and market share of local products. The findings will be shared with key participants of the local food service hubs. Peel Montessori School Expect Your Child to Love Coming to School! Empower Your Child With the Gift of Understanding Concepts & Enjoyment of Learning Open House Feb 8, 2014 10:00 am -1:00 pm · Private Elementary School (Grades 1 to 8) & · CCMA Accredited Montessori (Preschool to Grade 6) · 10 Min. from Trafalgar Road along Lakeshore · Minutes from Clarkson/Port Credit Go. HEAR Your Loved Ones Here's what they have been saying: I can't believe what I have been missing! I wish I had done it sooner! Heari ng C -- 6 entre in O Yea rs in akville Visit The Oakville Hearing Centre a Ro for the very best in hearing healthcare. w! Winner of BEST Be sure to enter our February Prize Draw* for your chance to win a FREE pair of premium hearing aids valued at $6,500.00! Nicole Clark Audiologist 1235 Trafalger Rd. Suite 207, Oakville www.peelmontessori.com 905-823-6522 T: 905.849.5894 www.oakvillehearing.com *The draw will take place on February 28, 2014