Partnering with the Massachusetts Hospital Association and Health Care Without Harm, Massachusetts hospitals recently announced their commitment to antibiotic stewardship through purchasing. The MHA Antibiotic Stewardship Commitment is generating movement among institutional suppliers. The following businesses offered statements outlining their support and progress in prioritizing meat raised without routine antibiotics:

Unidine 

Listed as #14 on Food Management’s Top 50 Contract Management Companies for 2015, Unidine serves over 32 million meals annually, operating within more than 200 facilities nationwide. Unidine has taken a leadership role in helping clients in Massachusetts embrace meats raised without routine antibiotics. Unidine locations host Meatless Mondays and always offer vegetarian options, to support a less meat-focused diet. Holyoke Medical Center has completed transitioning 100% of their chicken to sources raised without routine antibiotics and Beverly Hospital and Addison Gilbert in Gloucester are beginning the process now. 

“Client partners are embracing the goal of sourcing meat raised without antibiotics and are actively sharing the philosophy with hospital patients and staff,” said Tim Bouchard, Vice President. “It’s something they are proud to promote with signs in the cafes, on menus and on websites, as well as with special promotions. As pricing goes down on meat raised without routine antibiotic use, it becomes a bigger win-win proposition, including the commitment to source locally.”

Compass Group 

Based in Charlotte NC, Compass Group North America is the leading foodservice management and support services company. Foodbuy serves as Compass Group’s procurement partner and sources sustainable meats that are produced with minimal use or are free of chemicals and antibiotics. Chicken and turkey products contracted by Compass are produced without the routine use of human antibiotics. In 2015, Compass purchased more than 83 million pounds of chicken and almost 32 million pounds of turkey produced without the routine use of human antibiotics. The company also purchased 1.5 million pounds of certified humane raised and handled beef where the cattle never received antibiotics, supplemental growth promotants, added hormones, or any animal-derived feedstuff.

“Morrison Healthcare is a member of Compass Group and the nation’s leading food and nutrition services provider to more than 630 hospitals and health systems,” said Lisa Roberson, Director of Wellness & Sustainability at Morrison Healthcare. “We are proud of our HCWH partnership and opportunity to continue working alongside our hospitals in Massachusetts and across the U.S. to drive patient safety and wellness by using the power of food to heal and improve patient outcomes.” 

Sysco Boston

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products, operating 194 distribution facilities serving approximately 425,000 customers. Sysco Boston offers national brands and locally sourced products; meat, poultry, seafood and produce seasonally. Supplier partners such as Maine Family Farms, Murrays Chicken, Certified Angus Beef Natural, Reds Best Seafood and many local produce suppliers comprise a large, growing piece of our business. 

“Every day more and more customers are looking to see how they can be better stewards of our planet and environment,” said Tim Martin, Protein Category Sales Manager.  “We mirror these same thoughts and have responded by searching out new suppliers that share this same vision; from locally sourced product that reduce the carbon footprint to those that raise meat without the routine use of antibiotics, the same initiative the Mass Hospital Association has been stewarding. Our sales team, thru sales meetings, training sessions and working one on one with the suppliers, have learned how customers can incorporate these product lines into menus.” 

US Foods 

US Foods is one of America’s leading distributors offering more than 350,000 products, and proudly employing approximately 25,000 people in more than 60 locations nationwide. US Foods offers on contract an All Natural Grass Fed beef burger with no added hormones and no antibiotics. This product was developed as part of a growing interest in grass fed and sustainable beef. In addition, US Foods offers grass fed, grain finished Maine-grown beef raised without hormones or antibiotics from the local beef manufacturer, Maine Family Farms Meat Company. 

“USFOODS understands the increasing demand from our customers for meat products raised without antibiotics and we continually strive to meet those demands by bringing into stock product that fits the criteria,”  said Melissa Slifer, National Account Executive.