For National Nutrition Month, NYC Health + Hospitals Celebrates Over 2.8 Million Plant-Based Meals Served to Patients
The health system launched its plant-based meals program in March 2022 Scientific research has shown that plant-based eating patterns are linked to significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers In addition to the considerable health benefits for patients, the transition to a plant-based menu led to a reduction in carbon emissions of 36% and a cost savings of 59 cents per meal
Mar 31, 2026
New York, NY — For National Nutrition Month, NYC Health + Hospitals in partnership with Sodexo today celebrated over 2.8 million plant-based meals served since the program began in March 2022. In 2025 alone, NYC Health + Hospitals served nearly 700,000 plant-based meals to its patients. Scientific research has shown that plant-based eating patterns are linked to significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers. They can also be effective for weight management as well as treatment of hypertension and hyperlipidemia. In addition to the considerable health benefits for patients, the transition to a plant-based menu led to a reduction in carbon emissions of 36% and a cost savings of 59 cents per meal. Patients who ate plant-based meals at NYC Health + Hospitals in 2025 reported a satisfaction rate of 98%.
All meals are made from scratch at the health care system’s Culinary Center in Brooklyn. The culinary team includes Food Service Associates at each hospital who take the patient’s food order, educate them about the flavor and nutrition of the day’s plant-based options, and gather patient feedback about the meal. New recipes are piloted as a “Chef’s Recommendation” and only enter the menu rotation if they achieve an 80% patient satisfaction rate or above. Patients who are discharged from the hospital receive a booklet of plant-based recipes to make at home. New plant-based dishes joining the menu this year include Barbeque Mushrooms with Baked Beans; Mac and Cheese with Peas; Mafe Stew with Jollof Rice; Shawarma Roasted Mushrooms with Yellow Rice, Peppers and Onions; Fresh Baked Chocolate Chunk Cherry Cookies; and Fresh Baked Ginger Snap Cookies. Photos from the Culinary Center are available here.
“A nourishing meal can be healing,” said Mayor’s Office of Food Policy Executive Director Kate MacKenzie. “By serving nutritious, plant-based meals, NYC Health + Hospitals has been supporting patients’ well-being throughout their stay. New delicious, culturally inclusive offerings are a great addition to the menu – thanks to their creativity, skill, and passion, chefs and hospital staff are bringing comfort to mealtimes and supporting patients along their healing journey.”
“Reaching over 2.8 million plant-based meals served is a significant milestone that reflects both the strength of our culinary model and our commitment to patient-centered care,” said Sodexo Vice President of Operations at NYC Health + Hospitals Samantha Morgenstern, MS, RD, CDN. “By preparing meals from scratch at scale and continuously incorporating patient feedback, we are able to deliver nutritious, culturally relevant options that support improved health outcomes while maintaining high levels of satisfaction.”
“This program demonstrates how thoughtful supply chain strategy and strong partnership can drive quality and consistency across a large public health system,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Assistant Vice President of Managed Services Mercedes Redwood, MS, RD. “Together with Sodexo, we have been able to scale a program that improves patient health and satisfaction while also advancing our commitment to sustainability and equitable access to nutritious food.”
“In the heart of a vibrant city like New York, where the cultures blend and flavors collide, our continuous ideation of plant-based meals reflect our commitment to nourishment and inclusivity,” said Philip DeMaiolo, CEC, AAC, Client Executive and Corporate Chef at Sodexo for NYC Health + Hospitals. “We embrace the diversity of our community by crafting the recipes that not only celebrate health but also honor the rich tapestry of culinary traditions that make our city unique.”
“To feed the people of New York is a sacred responsibility, and we treat every meal like a seat at our own family table,” said Emmett McDonough, Executive Chef of Culinary Innovation at Sodexo for NYC Health + Hospitals. “By moving away from industrial shortcuts and back to the art of scratch-cooking in Brooklyn, we’ve created a plant-based menu that honors the diverse heritage of our city. These 2.8 million meals represent our commitment to serving food that doesn’t just meet a nutritional requirement, but actually nourishes the spirit of our community.”
Plant-based nutrition is a style of cooking and eating that emphasizes, but is not necessarily limited to, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, plant oils, herbs and spices, and reflects evidence-based principles of health and sustainability.
Plant-Based Dishes on the NYC Health + Hospitals Menu
- Barbeque Mushrooms with Baked Beans
- Black Bean Burger
- Black-Eyed Pea Casserole
- Curried Kabocha Squash
- Edamame & Tofu Dumpling Soup
- Fresh Baked Chocolate Chunk Cherry Cookie
- Fresh Baked Ginger Snap Cookie
- Garden Bolognese
- Shawarma Roasted Mushrooms with Yellow Rice, Peppers, and Onions (coming soon)
- Jerk Mushrooms with Sweet Plantains
- Mac and Cheese with Peas (coming soon)
- Mafe Stew with Jollof Rice
- Mexican Lasagna (Chilaquiles)
- Mushroom Stroganoff
- Orange Cauliflower with Edamame
- Penne Pasta with Pea Pesto
- Pigeon Peas and Pumpkin Stew (Gandules y Calabaza)
- Potato & Caramelized Onion Quiche
- Red Pea Stew & Coconut Bread Dumplings
- Rigatoni Pasta al Forno with Dairy-Free Cheese
- Roasted Moroccan Vegetables
- Sancocho
- Sloppy Joe
- Three Bean Chili
- Vegetable Paella
- Western Frittata
- Whole Wheat Sicilian Pizza with Dairy-Free Mozzarella Cheese
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About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlusHealth—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 46,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
