BRUNSWICK — Healthier options are now available in the Café at Mid Coast Hospital, thanks to a new national initiative. In collaboration with MaineHealth, Mid Coast has signed on to the Partnership for a Healthier America’s (PHA) “Hospital Healthy Food Initiative.”

Across the nation, 155 hospitals are taking part, including Kaiser Permanente and Cleveland Clinic, making it the most expansive effort to impact hospital food and nutrition to date.

Mid Coast joins nine other Maine hospitals that have signed onto this initiative.

“Given our commitment to the health of our community, we are excited to take part in the Hospital Healthy Food Initiative,” said Lois Skillings, Mid Coast Health Services president and CEO. “Offering a wide variety of affordable and healthy options to patients, visitors and employees will help them make the healthy choice the easy choice.”

Over the next three years, Mid Coast will focus on creating a healthier environment with increased availability of nutritious options. Specifically, the initiative asks participating hospitals to adopt standards in the following categories:

— Boost access to fruits and vegetables

— Make healthy meals more affordable

— Encourage healthier beverage choices

— Focus on preparing healthier foods

— Label foods with nutrition information

— Market healthy foods in cafeterias and on menus

“With the goal of increasing access to healthier options, we will make changes to both the menu and the café environment,” said Ross Taylor, director of Environmental Services at Mid Coast. “Through this commitment, our café is building upon many of the healthy practices already in place at Mid Coast, providing the best care possible for our community.”

Other participating hospitals include: Maine Medical Center, Southern Maine Medical Center, Goodall Hospital, Stephens Memorial Hospital, Spring Harbor Hospital, Lincoln County Healthcare, Pen Bay Healthcare, Waldo County Healthcare, and St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.

About Mid Coast Hospital

¦ MID COAST HOSPITAL is a full-service, 92-bed, independent, not-for-profit hospital governed by a community board of directors. The active medical staff includes more than 160 physicians in more than 30 primary care and specialty areas. Mid Coast Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission, and is recognized as a Magnet facility by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for exceptional nursing and patient care.