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Kingston General Hospital (KGH) is planning to buy almost all of its food from Compass Group, a giant multinational company that prepares food in a factory in the Toronto area. That means millions of dollars that could be spent with farmers, merchants and workers in the Kingston area will disappear down the 401 highway.
Factory-prepared food will come as microwavable “TV dinner” style meals that require almost no local input.
But it’s not too late to stop the food service deal from going ahead later this month when the KGH board of governors is voting on it.
A community group concerned about the impact of outsourcing the hospital food service is appealing to area residents to join with them to support local farmers and merchants, the region’s economy and the environment, and stop the deal with Compass from being approved.
A community rally November 3 in front of the KGH main site drew widespread support and local media coverage.
Our local community taxes and donations support KGH. Shouldn’t the hospital support us? Why is KGH selling out the local economy? Asked Louis Rodrigues, CUPE 1974 president at the rally which kicks off a month-long media campaign that includes radio, TV and print media advertising.
A crop of roaming local vegetables including corn, a carrot and an apple, will visit Kingston events like the downtown farmers’ market and deliver campaign messages throughout Kingston.
The campaign is supported by a wide range of individuals and organizations who believe that Kingston General Hospital should do what’s right for our community. This includes People Who Care About Kingston and CUPE Local 1974.
To find out more about the campaign and how you can help keep KGH food local, go to www.kingstonfoodfight.ca.
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