DAVIS, Calif. — When you think of where to eat tasty, sustainable food that's good for you, a hospital might not be the first place that comes to mind.
But this month UC Davis Health was the first health system in the country to be named to the "Good Food 100 Restaurants" list for 2019.
The annual list recognizes the purchasing practices of chefs and restaurants and their commitment to delicious, sustainable, healthy foods.
"We like to say that good food is good medicine because what we serve is part of the healing process," said UC Davis Health Executive Chef Santana Diaz. "Not only do we have phenomenal physicians, nurses and clinical care teams, but we also have a healthy, whole foods program, too. The ingredients, the meals, all of it is responsibly sourced and often from local farmers and ranchers in our region. Plus, it tastes great as well."
UC Davis Health joined top Sacramento restaurants Mulvaney’s and Magpie on the list.
Last year, UC Davis Medical Center was recognized by the James Beard Foundation’s SmartCatch Program, which informs consumers that the hospital’s fish dishes meet specific environmental and sustainable standards.
"Hospital food traditions used to mean we simply opened a can, poured from a box, or just added water to a pre-packaged mix," said patient services manager Sky Bacom-Slavin. "Now, like great restaurants, we’re really working hard to provide real, whole and good-tasting foods that are healthy and nourishing. And we know they have the power to heal, too!"
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