Growing healthier communities through mobile gardens
Goshen Health recently launched a mobile garden project with grant funding from the Indiana Department of Health to increase access to healthy foods in vulnerable areas. The seven garden units are equipped with basic materials and tools needed to successfully start container gardening – pots, soil, seeds, plants, hand tools and more.
“We’re excited to lead the mobile garden project, access to healthy food is so important and gardening is a valuable skillset,” said Randy Christophel, Goshen Health President and Chief Executive Officer. “This is a prime example of how working together can lead to a big impact. We are grateful for the many partners that made this project possible.”
To launch the project, Goshen Health partnered with several organizations. Goshen College public health students helped identify and interview potential garden sites. Alpha Lumber and R. Yoder Construction built and donated rolling garden carts to assure ease in transport and storage. Purdue Extension Elkhart County helped pair each site with a Master Gardener to serve as a resource for that site.
Current mobile garden locations include: Riverside Terrace, Rosedale High Rise, Stratford Commons, The Village Empowerment Center, The Post, McNaughton Park and North Webster Community Center.
For more information, email: CommunityEngagement@GoshenHealth.com.