RFK Jr., Dr. Oz launch Florida farm-to-hospital initiative to boost healthy patient meals

MIAMI, Fla. (CBS12) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made an appearance at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, where he announced the formation of a Florida farm-to-hospital partnership, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported on Monday.

The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services said that the partnership aims to connect Florida farms directly to food programs, which would expand access for patients to fresh, nutrient-dense and medically tailored meals.

Standing at a podium with the slogan “Take Back Your Health,” Kennedy and Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, highlighted plans to revamp hospital menus, calling it a logical response as the cost of treating chronic diseases continues to surge, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

The Sentinel states, Kennedy proposed rethinking the traditional U.S. food pyramid by prioritizing protein sources such as red meat and full-fat dairy like whole milk. Meanwhile, Oz said hospitals should eliminate sugary drinks, ultra-processed foods, and similar items, replacing them with more fruits and vegetables. He added that a memo sent Monday directs hospitals to follow the updated dietary guidelines or risk losing Medicare and Medicaid eligibility.

“This will empower every hospital and nation to align the food that they serve to patients in a way that they’re supposed to be serving those patients, not just with the scalpel blade or medications being infused, but with the true healing art of the food that we serve them,” Oz said.

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The Sentinel cites that on Monday, Nicklaus CEO Matthew Love became the first health system leader in Florida to sign the farm to hospital pledge. However, Nicklaus began shifting its approach two years ago by prioritizing fresh, locally sourced produce in both its cafeteria and patient meal services. The hospital has also removed items containing red dye from its menus. Jessica Simon, executive chef of food and nutrition services, said she prepares about 400 nutritious meals daily for patients using ingredients from local farms.

During Monday’s presentation, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said the new partnership is designed to benefit residents across the state by strengthening ties between the agriculture and health care sectors. He described the effort as a practical step to make it easier for hospitals to buy directly from Florida farmers, while improving nutrition and supporting local producers.

The initiative is part of the broader “Make America Healthy Again” effort, where Kennedy has promoted the idea of using food as a tool for better health. He has pushed to link farming, nutrition, and health care more closely, including in hospitals and addiction treatment programs, while also targeting ultra-processed foods—such as frozen meals commonly found in school lunches. Some medical experts, however, caution that he may at times overstate how much diet alone can prevent or treat disease.

Stacey Schieffelin of the America First Policy Institute said the Farm-to-Hospital partnership goes beyond treating illness and instead focuses on supporting recovery and overall well-being. She added that launching the initiative at a children’s hospital in Miami underscores its mission, saying the goal is to give kids the best chance to heal and thrive.