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Tampa General Hospital First in the Nation to Sign Nutrition Pledge
PR Newswire
Fri, July 17, 2026 at 6:19 AM GMT+5:30
6 min read
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins visited TampaGeneral to celebrate commitment to food as medicine
TAMPA, Fla., July 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins joined John Couris, president and CEO of Florida Health Sciences Center | Tampa General, and Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian at Tampa General Hospital today to celebrate TGH’s commitment to food as medicine. During the visit, Couris signed the Make Hospital Food Healthy Again pledge, establishing Tampa General as the first hospital in the nation to formally commit to putting nutrition at the center of care.
“Here at Tampa General, we know that food is medicine. What our patients eat directly impacts their health, their recovery and their long-term wellness. By introducing patients to world-class, nutrient-dense, wholesome meals during their stay, we’re not only accelerating recovery, but we’re giving them the best possible chance at the best possible outcomes. We’re also establishing a foundation for healthy eating long after discharge,” said Couris. “It’s a true privilege to welcome Secretary Kennedy and Secretary Rollins to witness this transformation in action. We’re grateful for their efforts to spotlight the good work of this team and lead the nation in elevating the quality of food served in hospitals.”
“Hospitals exist to heal people, and the food they serve should help patients recover — not contribute to the chronic disease that brought so many there in the first place,” said Secretary Kennedy. “That’s why the Trump administration launched the Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge. Every patient deserves real, nutritious food that supports healing. I commend Tampa General Hospital for leading by example and encourage every hospital to join us.”Â
“Real food starts with America’s farmers and ranchers, who produce the safest, most abundant food supply in the world,” said Secretary Rollins. “President Trump has made it clear that making America healthy again begins with putting wholesome, American-grown food back at the center of our institutions. USDA is proud to partner with Secretary Kennedy and HHS to ensure more wholesome, nutrient-dense food reaches our schools, hospitals, and communities. We are thrilled Tampa General is joining this pledge, because when we connect patients and families with American-grown foods, we strengthen public health while supporting the hardworking producers who make it all possible.”
