Ten Years, Nearly 12,000 Pounds of Produce: Garden Partnership Turns Food into Preventive Care

Ten years since an unused overgrown lot was noticed by an emergency department nurse, the Frederick Health-Hood College Community Resource Garden has mobilized more than 3,524 volunteer hours to grow and donate over 11,814 pounds of fresh produce to address food insecurity, expand access to healthy food, and promote nutrition that supports chronic disease prevention.

Cucumbers, radishes, and melons are just a few examples of the fresh produce that has been harvested and donated to local organizations including the Frederick Food Bank, Frederick Rescue Mission, Farm to School Frederick, The City of Frederick Community Table, and more.

"Through every season, volunteers from Frederick Health and Hood College have continued to show up," said Suzanne Jacobson, the Frederick Health Hospital emergency department nurse and Hood College Alumnae who has spearheaded the effort at Frederick Health. "They give their time to plant, pull weeds, and harvest pounds of vegetables each year."

In Frederick County, nearly 26% of residents lack access to large grocery stores, above the national average of 24%, according to United Way of Frederick County's Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) report. Limited access to healthy foods can make medically necessary diets difficult to maintain and is linked to chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

"Supporting our community's health means helping people build healthy habits and access the education and resources they need to stay well," said Frederick Health President & CEO Dr. Cheryl Cioffi. "Our Community Resource Garden is one meaningful way we are empowering individuals and families to make healthy choices and take an active role in their well-being."

The Community Resource Garden is part of the larger network of community gardens started by Hood College's Frederick Food Security Network (FFSN), a community gardening program that seeks to improve food security for residents of local food deserts, reduce local water pollution by diverting rooftop runoff for use as irrigation, and promote better eating habits and environmental stewardship in the Frederick community.

"Our partnership with organizations like Frederick Health is central to FFSN's mission to improve food security in Frederick," said Haroun Hallack, director of FFSN. "By supplying seedlings, supporting urban agriculture, and involving Hood College students in growing and distributing fresh produce, we're giving students real-world experience while expanding access to healthy food for local residents."

By addressing food access alongside traditional medical care, Frederick Health is expanding its preventative approach by making a practical investment in nutrition before illness can take root. For more information about the Community Resource Garden or Frederick Health, please contact Isabella Maxey using the information below.

Contact: Isabella Maxey | Communications & Public Relations Specialist
240-608-7431 | [email protected]

About Frederick Health

Frederick Health is the leading healthcare provider in Frederick County dedicated to positively impacting the wellbeing of every individual in the community. Frederick Health provides the full spectrum of innovative healthcare and wellness services through an extensive network that includes Frederick Health Hospital, specialty and primary care practices, a nationally recognized cancer center, home care, hospice, urgent care services, and more. Visit www.frederickhealth.org to learn more.

About Hood College

Through an integration of the liberal arts and the professions, Hood College provides an education that empowers students to use their hearts, minds and hands to meet personal, professional and global challenges and to lead purposeful lives of responsibility, leadership, service and civic engagement.

###