The latest initiative from one coastal California hospital has a neighbor's health in mind: the ocean.
In June, Community Hospital of the Monterey (Calif.) Peninsula became the first hospital to partner with the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program, committing to only serve seafood that's been caught in a sustainable way.
Seafood Watch, which currently has 340 business partners around the world, says its goal is to help “consumers and businesses choose seafood that's fished or farmed in ways that protect sea life and habitats, now and for future generations.”
It also helps consumers make better choices about the types of fish they're consuming through an outreach program and a tool on its website.
Community Hospital will only serve seafood designated as a “Best Choice” or “Good Alternative.” The 248-bed hospital serves 1,800 meals per day, and seafood appears on the menu almost daily.
The medical center's nutrition services director, Janice Harrell, advocated for the partnership and worked closely with colleagues to update menus and communicate with suppliers. Harrell has been a member of the Monterey Bay Aquarium for 32 years.
The largest challenge has been finding sustainable salmon—a popular menu item. But the partnership also has asked the kitchen staff to come up with new recipes and incorporate new kinds of fish.
