Jefferson Frankford Hospital’s ‘Garden of Giving’ offers free fresh produce to patients

Jefferson Frankford Hospital in Northeast Philadelphia provides its patients with more than traditional medicine.

Through its ‘Garden of Giving’, Jefferson is growing produce and offering it to patients and the community free of charge. The initiative is meant to not only provide patients with nutritious, locally grown vegetables, and promote healthy eating habits, but also give hospital volunteers an opportunity to work together and build a stronger connection with the community.

“It shows that when we work together, small efforts can lead to big changes and a healthier community,” said Diane Auwarter, Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Jefferson Frankford. “Our community garden is a place where hope, health, and teamwork come together.”

Nourishing the community with fresh produce has become a labor of love for employees at Jefferson Frankford Hospital. The garden is located on the grounds of the hospital in Northeast Philly. According to hospital officials, the garden yields approximately 100 pounds of produce each week, and all garden maintenance is done on a volunteer basis.

From the onset, there was tremendous enthusiasm and support for the garden among employees, both those with gardening experience and those with no experience, according to Jefferson Health Communications Manager Judy Horwitz, adding that employees develop and maintain a schedule to pick, weed, compost and bring the harvest to the cafeteria for cleaning before it’s distributed.

On Mondays, the produce is allocated and delivered to the Frankford Veterans Administration Center, which distributes the food to those in need. Students from Frankford Friends School have volunteered since the garden started, and later this month will help close out the garden for the season. Throughout June and July, the yield went to the Farmer’s Market set up in the hospital for patients, visitors, and the surrounding community, and now produce is included in bags with a loaf of bread for patients upon discharge.

“This project is a win-win,” says Auwarter. “Our neighbors win because they get to enjoy an abundance of fresh veggies, which helps make it possible to engage in healthy eating habits. Our employees who volunteer get to relax, de-stress, and bond with their co-workers with a common mission – to provide this vital service to our community — and it’s incredibly gratifying.”

The Garden of Giving started as a pilot program in 2019, however, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed further planting until spring of 2022. At that time, the garden was expanded, adding six beds. Last year, it doubled in size to 16 gardening beds.

“This year has been both humbling and inspiring,” says Darryl Beard, V.P. of Operations and Hospital Administrator at Jefferson Frankford. “Our Jefferson Frankford team, along with our community partners, are working to maximize the garden’s impact to best support our community. We are committed to growing not just food but also stronger connections and a healthier future for everyone we serve.”