The Farm at St. Joe's honored for community wellness efforts

For Immediate Release

Contact:


Laura Blodgett


734-712-4536


Laura.Blodgett@stjoeshealth.org

July 11, 2018

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) will present its 2018 Ludwig Community Benefit Award to three of its member hospitals’ programs during the MHA Annual Membership Meeting tomorrow. The honorees include programs led by Beaumont Health, Southfield; Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, Canton; and Spectrum Health Big Rapids and Reed City Hospitals. The award is named in memory of Patric E. Ludwig, a former MHA president who championed investing in the community’s overall health, and is presented to member organizations integrally involved in collaborative programs to improve the health and well-being of area residents. Each winner will receive $3,000 from the MHA Health Foundation to assist in its health improvement efforts.

Saint Joseph Mercy Health System established The Farm at St. Joe’s in April 2010, turning 23 acres of its Ann Arbor hospital campus lawn into arable land. Initially aimed at battling obesity through increased access to fresh produce, The Farm at St. Joe's now delivers better health outcomes for patients, staff and communities.

A collaboration between The Farm at St. Joe's and Eisenhower Center, a traumatic brain injury recovery facility, led to the nation’s first clinically accessible hoop house, where people of all abilities can grow food and participate in rehabilitation activities.

Through relationships with local food banks, providers and hospital clinicians, the farm distributes produce to patients in need and the local community. Cooking classes and recipe demonstrations using the produce also are provided at two area clinics.

The Farm at St. Joe’s has developed an education program that centers on the intersection of agriculture, health and science and provides innovative, place-based instruction to students ranging from preschool to graduate school. Students learn how increased access to healthy food can impact health outcomes.

The Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program at the farm served 230 participants in 2017, and a grant enabled the farm to give 40 free CSA shares to low-income families. The CSA program extends to medical residents, who also receive education on the concept of food as medicine.

The farm program builds healthier communities by empowering individuals to steward their personal health and well-being. Saint Joseph Mercy Health System considers it to be a model that can be adopted nationwide.

For more information on The Farm at St. Joe’s, contact Laura Blodgett, regional manager, media/public relations, Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, at (734) 712-4536.