Royal Columbian Hospital Takes Action on Sustainable Food Choices

What we eat impacts more than just our health—it affects the environment, too. At Royal Columbian Hospital (RCH), a bold initiative is underway to reduce the carbon footprint of hospital food services, thanks to the leadership of Elaine Chu, Director of Food Service Transformation and Strategic Planning for Fraser Health.

Elaine first discovered the Cool Food Pledge, a global initiative to help organizations serve climate-friendly meals, several years ago. Recognizing the potential to make a meaningful impact, she signed RCH on to the program in 2023. The hospital’s baseline results were eye-opening: while beef made up just 2% of food purchases by weight, it accounted for a staggering 36% of the hospital’s food-related carbon emissions.

“By making intentional changes to our menus, we can reduce our environmental impact while continuing to serve nutritious meals,” explains Elaine.

As part of the initiative, RCH has been experimenting with plant-based menu items and sustainable food choices while also addressing packaging waste. These efforts are paving the way for broader change across Fraser Health, with hospitals like Langley and Burnaby now also signed on to Coolfood Pledge.

Elaine sees this as just the beginning. With Fraser Health serving over six million patient and resident meals annually, even small changes can lead to major environmental benefits. “In health care food service, we have a huge opportunity to lead by example, every meal makes a difference!” she says.

Through forward-thinking leadership and a commitment to sustainability, Royal Columbian Hospital is demonstrating how hospitals can prioritize human and planetary health—one meal at a time. With the support of the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation, initiatives like these continue to drive innovation, ensuring better health for patients today and a more sustainable future for all.