Tampa General Hospital Signs Trump Administration's Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins celebrated the hospital's commitment to improving patient nutrition and encouraged hospitals nationwide to join the initiative.

TAMPA, FLORIDA-JULY 16, 2026-U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. today joined U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins at Tampa General Hospital to celebrate the hospital's signing of the Trump Administration's Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

At Tampa General Hospital, Secretary Kennedy recognized the hospital for leading the way in improving patient nutrition and serving healthier food. He joined Tampa General Hospital (TGH) President and CEO John Couris, Vice President of Operations Donna Tope, award-winning Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, and hospital staff for a ceremonial signing of the pledge and press conference.

"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."

"Here at Tampa General, we know that food is medicine. What our patients eat has a direct impact on 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. And, we're establishing a foundation for healthy eating long after discharge," said TGH President and CEO 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."

Secretary Kennedy also toured Tampa General Hospital's cafeteria, where Chef Zakarian redesigned the menu in 2025 around the principle that food is medicine.

The Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge is the latest step in Secretary Kennedy's effort to put nutrition and real food at the center of President Trump's mission to Make America Healthy Again:

• In January, HHS and USDA released the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030, marking the most significant reset of federal nutrition policy in decades.
• In June, Secretary Kennedy announced that 73 hospitals had signed the Trump Administration's Nutrition Education Pledge, committing to incorporate at least 40 hours of nutrition education-or its competency equivalent-into graduation requirements beginning this fall.
• Eight leading medical accrediting, assessment, and board organizations also voluntarily committed to strengthening nutrition requirements across medical education, competency evaluations, training, and residency programs.
• Last year, HHS announced a series of new measures to phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the nation's food supply-a significant milestone in the administration's broader initiative to Make America Healthy Again.

For a complete list of HHS actions to advance nutrition and improve Americans' health, visit HHS.gov/nutrition.