Tampa General Hospital Becomes First to Sign Federal Hospital Food Healthier Pledge

Tampa General Hospital signed the Make Hospital Food Healthier pledge on Thursday, becoming the first U.S. hospital to commit to serving more nutritious meals with fewer processed ingredients. CEO John Couris signed the pledge at a news conference attended by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and chef Geoffrey Zakarian. The 1,000-bed facility had partnered with Zakarian last year to overhaul its menu under the food is medicine approach. The updated menu includes items high in nutrition that can help prevent, manage and treat illness, according to a 2025 hospital news release.

Couris said the hospital doubled down on food quality and absorbed a 5% to 7% rise in purchasing expenses. Hospital data showed a 53% increase in perceived food quality after the changes, along with more patients finishing their meals. The facility sources about 25% of its food from local farmers.

HHS and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services launched the pledge earlier this month. In March, CMS notified hospitals that they must follow the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans to keep receiving Medicaid and Medicare payments. Kennedy said at the event that hospitals are places where people go to get healthy.

He added that Tampa General provides a template other hospitals can follow.