Perceptions of local hospitals and food producers on opportunities and barriers to implementing a farm-to-hospital program

Author

Allison Perline, The University of Montana

Year of Award

2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Name

Health and Human Performance (Community Health Option)

Department or School/College

Department of Health and Human Performance

Committee Chair

Blakely Brown

Commitee Members

Annie Heuscher, Annie Sondag

Keywords

local food producers, local food, local food systems, farm-to-hospital

Publisher

University of Montana

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore current perceptions and attitudes of local food producers and hospital staff towards incorporating locally-sourced foods into hospital food service programs. Perceived opportunities and challenges to procuring and using local products in the hospital setting were identified. Additionally, perceived enablers and barriers of local producers were identified around working directly with institutions. The goal of this study was to integrate perceptions of producers and hospital staff to develop locally relevant suggestions for strengthening producer-hospital relationships and increase the amounts of local foods in hospital food service programs. Qualitative data was collected by conducting interviews with hospital staff involved with food procurement and management, as well as with local producers and food distributors. Demographic data was also collected from participants. Findings resulted in the identification of opportunities and challenges associated with direct working relationships between local food producers and hospitals and the increase of locally-sourced foods in food services. Barriers included price, product availability and quantity while opportunities included positive relationships, product quality, and champion leaders. The integration of results allowed for the development of capacity building suggestions. Such suggestions included the development of aggregated food systems, hospital staff wellness programs and collaborative problem solving processes. Most significantly, this study suggested that efforts to connect producers and hospitals in collaborative dialogue to identify and resolve misconceptions and misinformation may serve to most successfully strengthen Montana’s farm-to-institution system and increase the amounts of locally-sourced foods being used in hospital food service programs.  

Recommended Citation

Perline, Allison, "Perceptions of local hospitals and food producers on opportunities and barriers to implementing a farm-to-hospital program" (2014). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 4268.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/4268