Grow2Heal Community Garden at Homestead Hospital-Baptist Health South Florida

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." No truer words have ever been spoken by Hyppocrates. Food can be medicine, food can be memories and unfortunately, food can also be detrimental to your health. If I tell you that every morsel I put into my body was organic, whole and nutrient rich, that would be a lie. The chicken pot pie in my belly right now would tell you otherwise; however, what I have created in my household is strong sense of responsibility for what we consume, where we shop and how we prepare it. It takes effort and energy, but knowledge is power, and learning how to create dishes with seasonal ingredients and getting your children in the kitchen will spark an important dialogue missing from most American households.

Last week I had the honor of spending the day with Baptist Health South Florida (BHSF) Homestead Hospital’s Grow2Heal Community Garden. Thi Squire, the manager and driving force behind the garden, was our hostess for the day. Her passion for education was palpable. As the healthcare landscape is dramatically changing, so is Baptist Health South Florida. BHSF continually strives to shift their focus, and innovate! Today, their main priority is to keep patients out of their hospital beds, and offer the community a tangible resource for success.

The Grow2Heal Community Garden focuses on community and patients to help them make more nutritious choices through whole, fresh produce that is grown on site. Thi drives her message home with passionate discussion on the preventative, healing and medicinal properties of many of the crops she grows on site, including cancer-fighting powerhouses: turmeric and soursop, both of which are used by the hospital for patients. In fact, all of the produce is used by the hospital to provide nutrient dense meals and enhance the ‘Grow Your Lunch’ fieldtrip program.

Last year, Thi hosted over 500 students to encourage healthy eating habits. During their trip to the garden children will get their hands dirty. They will plant seeds, harvest fruits and vegetables, and cook their own lunch under Thi’s guidance. This is farm-to-table dining at its finest. Patients of Homestead hospital also have the opportunity to enjoy freshly grown Sunflowers in their rooms. Sunflowers have been my absolute favorite flower since I was a teenager. They always bring a smile to my face, and I have no doubt they a patients stay a bit brighter too!

At the end of the day, proper nutrition can help manage or prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart failure. The key is to start the children young. The Grow2Heal Community Garden is only a little over a year old, and are always looking for community partners. If you are interested in the garden feel free to reach out for fieldtrip, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, email HHGrow2Heal@baptisthealth.net.The Grow2Heal Community Garden has left a lasting imprint on my heart! Stay tuned for more of Thi’s tips and a recipe straight from our day at the Grow2Heal Community Garden, and make sure to head over to Baptist Health South Florida’s website to read tons of great articles on everything from nutrition to community outreach and medical research.