chicago, nov. 28 /prnewswire/ -- Swedish Meatballs Just Got A Whole Lot healthier At Swedish Covenant Hospital In chicago.

The Facility Has Joined A Growing Menu Of Mainstream Organizations That are Embracing The Organic Food Trend.

As Of Early June, All Stewed And Ground Beef Used In Patient Meals (including Swedishs Traditional Swedish Meatballs) Is Pure Grass-fed Beef, without Unnatural Supplements And Growth Hormones, From The Tall Grass Beef company. And Many Of The Fruits And Vegetables Offered To Patients At The hospital Are Organically Grown.

"since Many Of Our Patients Are Making Organic Food Choices At Home, We feel Its Important That We Offer These Items At The Hospital, Too," Said gillian Cappiello, Who Oversees Such Patient-centered Initiatives As Planetree coordinator For Swedish Covenant Hospital. "wholesome And Healthy Foods Play such A Vital Role In Patient Recovery."

"well Soon Be Able To Offer Some Meals That Are Completely Organic," Said maria Simmons, Manager Of Patient Food Service And Chair Of The Nutrition action Committee At Swedish Covenant Hospital. "swedish Meatballs Are Made with Tall Grass Beef And Organic Eggs, Onions And Milk, For Example.

"we Viewed The Introduction Of More Organic Foods As Part Of A Broad program Aimed At Providing A Home-like Atmosphere During A Stay At Our hospital. Its Also A Natural Extension Of Our Cultural Foods Menu," She continued. "the Feedback Weve Had From Patients So Far Is Extremely positive."

For More Than A Year, The Hospital, Located In One Of The Most Diverse areas Of chicago, Has Offered A Korean Menu That Features Authentic Dishes made Entirely From Scratch In The Hospital Kitchen. Freshly Prepared Hispanic menu Items Launched Last Fall, And An Indian Halal Menu Will Follow.

"this Is A Great Example Of The Putting Patients First Program We Have here At Swedish Covenant," Said mark Newton, Chief Executive Officer Of The north Side Hospital. "our Patients Identified A Need, And We Took Action."

The Organic And Cultural Dishes Are Made Fresh Daily With Items Rotating throughout The Week. They Will Be Offered Periodically In The Hospital cafeteria, As Well.

Swedish Covenant Hospital Is A Comprehensive Healthcare Facility Providing health And Wellness Services To The Communities Of Chicagos North Side. As one Of The Few Independent, Nonprofit Hospitals In The Area, Swedish Covenant hospital Remains Focused On Its Mission Of Compassionate Care. More Than 500 physicians Join The Hospitals Nurses And Professional Staff To Strengthen A foundation Of Excellence Established Nearly 120 Years Ago Into A Tradition that Will Endure. Swedish Covenant Hospital Is A Member Of The Planetree alliance Of Healthcare Facilities, Putting Our Patients First. More information Is Available At http://www.swedishcovenant.org .

source Swedish Covenant Hospital