Phillies invest $1M in minor-league food budget

Being in the minor leagues as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies organization got sweeter this season.

The club will spend close to $1 million to feed minor-league players and staff healthier meals, according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

"It's definitely a plus this year," former first-round pick Shane Watson said. "For sure. A lot of guys really like it."

The move is intended to help improve the performance of the players, who can now also utilize newly hired strength and conditioning coaches across each level of the organization as well.

"We want them to not have to worry about anything other than baseball," assistant general manager Ned Rice said. "When they're playing for the Phillies, they'll have that stuff taken care of for them. ...

"We want to instill those values in younger players. It's an adjustment for some of those guys. We want them having healthy habits by the time they get to the majors."

It's no secret that minor-league players don't always make a lot of money, which can often force them into eating a poor diet, especially when combined with their travel schedule.

"Food is an integral part of everything you do," six-year MLB veteran and current Phillies minor leaguer J.P Arencibia said. "They're going to pay millions of dollars for players and then have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?"

Los Angeles Dodgers director of player development Gabe Kapler ensured all of the Dodgers' minor-league squads were fed organic food last season, which Gelb credits for increasing the focus on nutrition across the minors.