Apple Straws With Sodexo
A Small Snack, A Bigger Impact: Local Apple Straws Support Food Equity in Central Massachusetts
What might seem like a simple snack is part of a larger strategy to advance food equity at UMass Memorial Health.
Through a partnership with Sodexo and Growing Places, locally sourced apple straws — made from apples grown in Central Massachusetts — are now being introduced into patient meals and hospital cafeterias. The effort reflects a growing focus on using purchasing power to support both community health and the regional economy.
FEAST: Using Health Care Purchasing to Advance Food Equity
This approach is central to the FEAST initiative, which aligns UMass Memorial’s operations — especially food purchasing — with its commitment to building a more just and sustainable food system. By sourcing locally, the system helps create reliable demand for farmers and food producers while increasing access to healthy, familiar foods.
Why Local Food Sourcing Matters in Health Care
“Something as simple as an apple snack can represent a much bigger shift in how we think about food in healthcare,” said Mario Florez, Vice President of Community Health and Caregiver Belonging, UMass Memorial. “We’re using our role as a major purchaser to support local agriculture, strengthen community partnerships and advance health equity at the same time.”
The collaboration with Sodexo also makes it possible to scale that impact. By leveraging an established supply chain, locally sourced products can meet the safety, consistency and volume needs of a large health care system.
In addition to supporting local farms, the initiative reflects a broader effort to reduce food waste and build a more sustainable food system — priorities that are increasingly aligned across health care and community partners.
A Local Partnership With a Meaningful Ripple Effect
For Tricia Pistone, Associate Vice President for Community Affairs, UMass Memorial Health – HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital, the impact is both practical and symbolic. “This is a tangible example of how our values show up in everyday experiences,” she said. “We’re making it easier for patients, visitors and caregivers to access healthy food while also supporting the communities we serve.”
It’s a small change with a meaningful ripple effect, demonstrating how everyday decisions can help build a stronger, more equitable food system.