Organic milk provision at Darlington Hospital
Case Study: Organic milk provision at Darlington Hospital
Region: County Durham
Organisation: NHS Trust, Acorn Dairy - producers of local organic milk
Description
A County Durham hospital has become the first in the country to award a contract for organic milk. Darlington Memorial Hospital is currently undergoing a trial with a nearby organic dairy farm, Acorn Dairy, to supply it with five thousand pints a week.
The decision wasn't about organic milk. The hospital was looking for a more local supplier to deliver its strategy on sustainability development. When the hospital looked around for suitable suppliers Acorn Farm was identified as a dairy that could supply it with organic milk. So it was decided to take its milk on a trial basis to see what the benefits were and if patients would notice the difference. The initiative proved successful and the dairy has now been formally awarded the contract.
Benefits
- The trial has opened up future tendering for small to medium local producers.
- The patients have noticed a difference in taste. They prefer organic milk and welcome the hospital's move.
- Acorn Farm is only two miles from the hospital and therefore able to compete on price due to lower haulage costs. A "by-product" of the award is a reduction in food miles that's good for the environment and peoples' health due to lower emissions.
Lessons learned during implementation
Gordon Tweddle, who owns Acorn Farm, said: 'We have found it very difficult to get into any council type operations, that is very much big business and it is still very bureaucratic to try and get in'. This appears to be based on a cost issue, fortunately due to the proximity of the farm to the hospital that barrier has been overcome in this instance.
Future developments
An aim of the "Better Hospital Food" project is to provide patients with healthier and more nutritionally balanced meals at ward level. Providing organic milk will enable the hospital to find out if it is more beneficial for patients' health. The catering department will do this in partnership with the dietetic department.
In response to the debate on the possible health benefits of an organic diet the Advertising Standards Authority recently approved the following statements for use in advertisements, leaflets and promotions such as competitions and free offers:
- "No food has higher amounts of beneficial minerals, essential amino acids and vitamins than organic food".
- "The best method of reducing exposure to potentially harmful pesticides would be to consume organically grown food, where their use is avoided".
Further information
Website: www.acorndairy.co.uk
E-mail: organic@acorndairy.co.uk
Page published: 7 March 2005