Hospitals and Healthcare

Meatless Monday is a global movement to help people eat less meat and more fruits, vegetables, and healthy plant-based foods. Cutting out meat one day per week is not only good for your health and the health of the planet, but it’s also an incentive to try new ingredients, dishes, and cuisines. Hospitals are particularly well positioned to leverage Meatless Monday as a way to introduce healthy eating habits to patients, staff, and visitors.

How to get started: 

  1. Understand the benefits: Review our benefits fact sheet to learn how Meatless Monday supports healthy eating habits, personal wellness, and environmental sustainability.  
  2. Secure key stakeholder support: Submit a proposal to pilot a Meatless Monday program as part of your hospital's healthy eating, sustainability, or wellness initiatives. Use our sample outreach letter or create your own.  
  3. Establish program and goals: Meatless Monday can be tailored to meet any number of wellness and sustainability goals. Create a pilot program that prioritizes the needs of your organization. Review success stories to learn how other hospitals have implemented Meatless Monday.   
  4. Raise awareness: There are a number of ways to promote Meatless Monday in your hospital. To get staff involved, email our Get Started with Meatless Monday 12-week campaign. Provide health messaging and plant-based recipes to patients and dietitians, and include educational resources for doctors and other medical staff. Use our library of free resources—which includes printable materials and social media assets to help generate interest and buzz throughout the hospital. Meatless Monday can also be included as part of your hospital dining services. Contact your foodservice department to initiate the process.  
  5. Launch: Announce the Meatless Monday launch by email and social media, using a sample launch email or through any hospital-affiliated communication channels. Remind employees and medical staff of upcoming events and prepare signage to promote new dishes.  

  6. Survey: Better understand how patients, staff, and visitors feel about Meatless Monday and plant-based foods with pre and post surveys.