Community Gardens

Goshen Health’s mobile garden program is an initiative designed to increase access to fresh, nutritious food in vulnerable communities throughout Elkhart and Kosciusko counties. The program is part of Goshen Health's ongoing commitment to address community health needs by improving access to healthy food and supporting overall well-being. 

Launched in 2023 with seven participating organizations, the program has expanded to 19 organizations in 2026, nearly tripling its reach and impact across the community. Around 500 community members are expected to benefit from the program in summer 2026.

The program provides raised garden carts, containers, soil, plants, gardening tools and other supplies at no cost to participating organizations. The portable gardens enable community organizations to grow fresh produce in locations where traditional gardening space may be limited while creating opportunities for education, engagement and wellness.

Tower Gardens

Since 2023, Goshen Health has expanded its Tower Gardens program from just ten units to 29 across the community. These user-friendly planters are now located in 22 classrooms spanning five school districts.

The Tower Gardens program equips classrooms with vertical gardens and brings fresh, healthy produce directly into the classroom, giving students hands-on experience with growing food.

Through this program, students can make connections across subjects such as science, math, and health while also learning about the importance of nutrition and healthy eating.

Since its inception, the program has reached more than 20,000 students. Educators report increased student engagement and curiosity. “The Tower Garden brought our science unit to life,” said Bethanne Campell, Teaching Assistant at Eastwood Elementary. “Students were eager to observe plant growth daily and became genuinely excited about science.”