Preserving lifesaving medicine – with tacos
Tacos with avocado (Edgar Castrejon)
It’s a typical lunchtime at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus in Falls Church, Va. The dish served: chicken tacos. But something special is happening at this chef’s table. This is a meal on a mission.
In 2018, Inova Health System started purchasing poultry raised without antibiotics, labeled “No Antibiotics Ever” (NAE). All of the chicken breasts served at cafeterias in the Inova health system have been converted to 100 percent NAE and the hope is to convert more poultry products moving forward.
In order to highlight this effort, Inova cafeterias conducted a series of chefs’ tables so patients and staff could learn more about the benefits of this change.
Chef Steve Quesenberry, Inova Alexandria Hospital working the
Chef’s Action Station to promote No Antibiotic Ever chicken meal. (Inova Health System)
“The cost of treating antibiotic resistance in U.S. hospitals is upwards of $21 to $34 billion annually and we must do our part to remove a source from our food supply,” said Chip Goyette, director of sustainability for Inova. “And when large buyers such as hospitals, the federal government, and large corporations make similar commitments, it benefits everyone by increasing demand for NAE products, stimulating supply and ultimately driving down costs for all consumers.”
The chicken taco recipe was chosen by the culinary team in order to feature the abundance of fresh local produce. More than 160 people enjoyed the dish that day. Food services staff were excited to serve the NAE chicken, and Inova team members found the tacos to be delicious.
Emma Eichelman, program coordinator for Inova’s office of sustainability,
promoting No Antibiotic Ever chicken at a hospital event.
Inova has taken steps to ensure they are serving healthy foods in their cafeterias, food that benefits both the natural environment and their patients. The health system requires their food service vendors to supply food that adheres to a variety of sustainability metrics or third-party certifications.
Inova Health System is a Practice Greenhealth member with five hospitals, more than 1,800 licensed beds, and 18,000 employees. Inova serves more than two million people each year throughout the D.C. metro area and beyond.
