Through Edgerton Hospital’s Community Health Needs Assessment, it was evident that our community struggles with weight management. The hospital has made it our mission to address this situation and give the community the tools needed to combat this issue head on. In January of 2022, the Edgerton Hospital Foundation accepted a grant from the Edgerton Community Fund’s Fall 2021 Grant Cycle of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, Inc. The money awarded has helped to support new Edgerton Hospital educational programing aimed directly at meeting various needs of the community, including obesity and mental health. 

Our “Hands on Health” program was designed to reduce obesity rates by increasing the community’s access to healthy food, regardless of age, mobility, or income. In addition, class participants will experience the secondary effects of gardening, including reductions in depression, anxiety, and body mass index; and increases in quality of life and sense of community. 

Through the “Hands on Health” program, Edgerton Hospital has executed a series of free community programs including growing vegetables in small spaces, accessible gardening, and gardening with children.  In addition, using funds from the grant, large bins were purchased to plant vegetables and herbs. The bins were located right outside the hospital’s café, giving true meaning to “farm-to-table.” Throughout the summer and growing season, the hospital’s executive chef has used this garden produce in the hospital’s café to offer patients, staff, and visitors fresh food grown right on site! This fresh food was also used for educational cooking classes.

The free educational classes offered to the community included:
 

• Accessible Gardens
• Cooking for Kids
• Cooking with Herbs
• Gardening for Kids
• Saucing & Spicing Seasonal Veggies
• Veggies - Containers & Small Spaces

It is our hope that by providing the community with free education regarding healthy eating, they will be more likely to take advantage of the opportunity and gain the needed knowledge to live longer, healthier lives.