Tampa General Hospital First in the Nation to Sign Nutrition Pledge

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins visited Tampa General to celebrate commitment to food as medicine.

Tampa, FL (July 16, 2026) – 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.” 

“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.”

Several years ago, Tampa General embarked on a journey to revolutionize hospital food service with a new menu. In partnership with Chef Zakarian, TGH launched a new world-class menu inspired by the Mediterranean diet, rooted in science and crafted for flavor, balance and recovery.

Chef Zakarian developed the menu in collaboration with Dr. Tanuja Sharma, TGH Medical Director of Integrative Medicine and Arts. Together, they created a dining experience where culinary excellence meets evidence-based nutrition.

“Every meal served in a hospital is an opportunity to nourish, to heal and to inspire healthier habits that last well beyond a patient’s stay,” said Chef Zakarian. “At Tampa General, we've shown that nutritious food can also be vibrant, delicious and deeply satisfying. It's an honor to partner with a health system that understands food is an essential part of medicine and is setting a new standard for hospitals across the country.”

Tampa General’s new hospital menu follows clear procurement standards that align directly with the Make Hospital Food Healthy Again Pledge. There are no added or artificial sweeteners and no processed foods. The menu prioritizes whole foods, organic produce, and locally grown and harvested products.

As one of the nation’s premier academic health systems, Tampa General Hospital is committed to delivering world-class care, from advanced medicine to the food that fuels recovery. Tampa General’s focus on patient nutrition is one example of how the academic health system is reimagining care at every level, blending cutting-edge science with whole-person healing.