The Journey to Your Table – Baptist Health South Florida

How Does Our Garden Grow?

January 26, 2021

Thi Squire, center, and colleagues at Grow2Heal Garden at West Kendall Baptist Hospital

The Grow2Heal Garden is flourishing and spreading its roots throughout many of Baptist Health’s hospitals. What started at Homestead Hospital was a humble innovative effort to address the prevention of chronic diseases within the community of deep South Dade.

Growing nourishing foods to heal our patients and community is the foundation of our mission, and we understand that education and engagement are needed to create healthier communities. Through Grow Your Lunch field trips, workshops, seminars and community events, Grow2Heal finds ways to interact and inspire folks to try new fruits and vegetables, cooking techniques, cuisines, and to improve their lifestyle choices.

These efforts have now reached West Kendall, South Miami and Doctors Hospital. Each site has its own unique Grow2Heal garden and addresses the specific needs of the communities they serve. In addition to creating edible gardens, we’re planting tropical fruit trees and Florida native plants to showcase at each site. These endeavors are supported by initiatives led by Healthy Homestead, Healthy West Kendall, Healthy South Miami and Healthy Coral Gables committees’ that collaborate with community partners.