2014 gave us lots of food for thought about healthcare. A new program, The Farm at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI, is shaking up the typical healthcare model. It has created a program - hoping to reduce patients who need the hospitals care and build a healthier community. And it all starts with a garden. Taking more than 20 acres of hospital-owned land, developers constructed hoophouse garden spaces, including the 1st clinically accessible hoophouse that provides rehabilitative therapy opportunities for patients with traumatic brain injuries. The patients at the hospital are also served the fresh produce and the hospital kitchen changed their food prep equipment to support preparation of these fresher, healthier meals. Dieticians now have tangible tools and ways to directly help patients in need. The produce that is not used by the hospital is sold weekly in the lobby of the hospital to community members and given to a local food shelf. Stewards of the land AND stewards of the health of the community = gardening at its best. https://youtube/watch?v=JBLqBdgXnyg#t=200
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 01:33:45 +0000
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