ProHealth Care’s Hospital Gardens Provide Free Food and Education for the Community
ProHealth Care has an organic approach to helping improve the health and well-being of the community—gardening and fresh food. Since 2014, it has teamed with UW Extension master gardeners and volunteers to develop a seasonal vegetable garden at ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital, free gardening education, and donations of garden vegetables to the community. ProHealth replicated the program at ProHealth Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital in 2021.
ProHealth’s Community Health Needs Assessment found that 70% of community members were overweight and 34% were considered obese. People at higher risk for poor nutrition include low-income individuals and families, people experiencing homelessness, Latino families, and adults who are isolated.
Since the program began, 7,720 pounds of fresh food valued at $16,536 has been harvested and distributed from the hospital gardens. Monthly classes from May to September help local gardeners learn about everything from creating mulch to selecting and growing plants and discouraging pests.
The produce is provided to local food pantries and offered at a free produce stand outside the ProHealth Medical Group clinic in downtown Waukesha. The clinic is located in an area identified as having less access to nutritious food than other areas of Waukesha County. Produce left over from the stand is distributed to people who participate in the clinic’s food insecurity prevention program.
“Feedback from the food program points to a need for fresh food,” said Rebekah Tadysak, medical group operations manager. “The stand helps provide garden vegetables and it’s been a big success with clinic patients.”
ProHealth’s Community Health Needs Assessment found that 70% of community members were overweight and 34% were considered obese. People at higher risk for poor nutrition include low-income individuals and families, people experiencing homelessness, Latino families, and adults who are isolated.
Since the program began, 7,720 pounds of fresh food valued at $16,536 has been harvested and distributed from the hospital gardens. Monthly classes from May to September help local gardeners learn about everything from creating mulch to selecting and growing plants and discouraging pests.
The produce is provided to local food pantries and offered at a free produce stand outside the ProHealth Medical Group clinic in downtown Waukesha. The clinic is located in an area identified as having less access to nutritious food than other areas of Waukesha County. Produce left over from the stand is distributed to people who participate in the clinic’s food insecurity prevention program.
“Feedback from the food program points to a need for fresh food,” said Rebekah Tadysak, medical group operations manager. “The stand helps provide garden vegetables and it’s been a big success with clinic patients.”
