Under the motto «Innovate today – Nourish tomorrow!», the initiative brought together health professionals, representatives from academia, food production, industry, and local authorities. The meeting was also marked by the presentation of renovation and expansion works for the Nutrition Service and modernization of the hospital kitchen, with an investment of approximately €1.5 million, co-financed by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).
The investment covers the kitchen's infrastructure and equipment, as well as the acquisition of new carts with technology for meal distribution to admitted patients, reinforcing the quality and safety conditions of hospital food.
«Food is not an accessory element of healthcare delivery. It is an integral part of that care», stated Paulo Mendes, head of the Nutrition Service at ULS do Baixo Mondego. He also emphasized that this area accompanies the entire life cycle and impacts health promotion, disease prevention, treatment, recovery, and the quality of life of patients.
For the head of the service, the modernization represents an investment «in the quality, safety, and dignity of the care we provide to our patients». The opening session was attended by the President of the Board of Directors of ULS do Baixo Mondego, Ana Raquel Santos, the Dean of the Order of Nutritionists, Liliana Sousa, and the head of the Nutrition Service, Paulo Mendes.
During the event, the book «Saber&Nutrir – Knowledge that Feeds Health», authored by the Nutrition Service of ULS do Baixo Mondego, was presented, and food innovation and new protein sources were debated. Contributions from municipalities such as Soure, Montemor-o-Velho, and Figueira da Foz were also presented.
