Balanced, local and seasonal food

Image ou Video
Image
Image
image de chef

Every day, the HUG Catering Service prepares over 10,000 meals for hospital patients and staff, as well as for various public-sector partners in Geneva, such as the Institution genevois de maintien à domicile (Imad), medico-social establishments and schools. 

The HUG's commitment to the local community is reflected in its active promotion of local food and seasonal produce. 
For many years, the hospital has favored local sourcing, particularly of Genève Région - Terre Avenir (GRTA) labeled foodstuffs. In 2024, all the fresh vegetables used to prepare meals came from Switzerland, 40% of which were grown in Geneva, representing a total of 142 tonnes of GRTA-certified vegetables. Other GRTA products used included 5.7 tonnes of flour (100% of annual purchases), 34,450 liters of milk and 7.4 tonnes of meat. 

The HUG also ensure that the food produced by their partners complies with these commitments. In 2024, 100% of the sliced bread accompanying the annual meals delivered by the HUG to Imad was GRTA. 

In 2024, the commitment of our teams was rewarded for their efforts to promote local products: the Loëx staff restaurant won a cantonal prize for its outstanding use of GRTA-labeled foodstuffs, all categories included.

Since September 2022, an eco-score indicating the environmental impact of the menu dishes at Chez Gustave brasserie has been displayed. This label raises awareness among customers about their environmental footprint while helping them make an informed choice about the products they consume.

In addition to giving priority to local food, the institution also promotes short and solidarity-based cycles.

Since August 2024, the HUG have been welcoming children from a local school to the restaurant on the 10th floor of the main building every lunchtime, while work is carried out on their canteen. Welcoming these pupils is fully in line with the HUG's philosophy of solidarity and links with the surrounding world.

New vegetarian offer

Meat consumption at the HUG has decreased by 21% in 2024 (compared with 2021). This reduction is linked in particular to the desire to reduce the carbon footprint of certain foods consumed at the hospital. To this end, the Catering Service is offering more vegetarian meals to staff and patients alike. Since 2024, the evening meal has been vegetarian by default for hospitalized patients (this choice can be modified according to individual preferences).

Last update : 01/07/2025