U.S. schools try to feed lunch for the children in their care for less than $3, and we think that is a poor investment. The CBC reported last week on hospital food in Canada, where hospitals spend 1% of their budget on food, feeding their patients for $8/day — three meals and two snacks.
For that $8, patients aren't getting the proper nutrition needed to recover well.
This is in Canada where single-payer health insurance rules the day, unlike here in the States, where most Americans are still in pre-Obamacare mode.
The CBC story emphasizes this mentality where food — especially nutritious food — isn't a high of a priority as it should be in our society.
Kids need nutrition to do better in schools. Patients need nutrition to get better so they spend less time in hospital beds.
When cost is offered up as an issue, wasted food adds to those costs. Unlike schools, hospitals often have wasted food because of bad timing (e.g., patients have to fast before a procedure, but still get a meal anyway).
Schools, like hospitals, could have gardens on their roofs to bring in fresh vegetables. Administratively, more could be done in both climates to better spend that shrinking food dollar, such as reducing waste. And students and patients will have to appreciate the fresher food, once it arrives.
Students and patients are in a vulnerable position, where others have to care for them. How well they do comes in part with the food and nutrition level they receive during their stay. Both groups need good nutrition to get stronger and feel better. The investment may seem costly and difficult to implement, but society is better off when it is food-smart and nutrition-wise.
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