More local healthy food is coming to the IWK.

Patients and staff at the hospital will be able to enjoy vegetables, fruit, meat and fish grown right here at home.

The province says it will spend $15 thousand in a three-month pilot program, to work with the hospital in order to make it easier to source local food.

“We are proud to add the IWK to the growing number of institutions embracing the buy-local philosophy. Buying food from Nova Scotian farmers helps our economy, our communities and the environment,” said Agriculture Minister Greg Morrow. “By serving food grown or made here at home, we can be confident in its quality and nutritional value. Helping hospitals put healthy, locally grown food on the menu just makes sense.”

The department will work with the IWK, so that institutions like hospitals can continue to serve these products in the long term.

IWK Health is working with its suppliers, including Gordon Food Service’s Atlantic division, based in Nova Scotia, to purchase local food ingredients.

A similar pilot was announced in December 2022 at Northwood, Atlantic Canada’s largest seniors’ long-term care facility.