December 27, 2024
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OSF gardens generate more than 2,500 pounds of produce for those in need in Ottawa, Streator, Mendota

Produce is donated to local food pantries, OSF cafeterias

By Shaw Local News Network
OSF HealthCare offers community gardens in Ottawa, Streator and Mendota.

OSF HealthCare offers community gardens in Ottawa, Streator and Mendota. (Photo provided by Paul Arco)

OSF HealthCare offers community gardens in Ottawa, Streator and Mendota.

Community gardens are an opportunity to address food insecurity in communities, and provide healthy foods to local pantries to reach those who are in need.

Recently, OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center (Ottawa) harvested 640 pounds of produce, OSF St. Paul Medical Center (Mendota) produced 1,175 pounds and OSF Center for Health - Streator yielded 713 pounds. The produce is donated to local food pantries, and may be offered in OSF cafeterias to use as a healthy eating and wellness initiative.

Recently, OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center (Ottawa) harvested 640 pounds of produce, OSF St. Paul Medical Center (Mendota) produced 1,175 pounds and OSF Center for Health - Streator yielded 713 pounds. The produce is donated to local food pantries, and may be offered in OSF cafeterias to use as a healthy eating and wellness initiative.

Recently, OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center (Ottawa) harvested 640 pounds of produce, OSF St. Paul Medical Center (Mendota) produced 1,175 pounds and OSF Center for Health - Streator yielded 713 pounds. The produce is donated to local food pantries, and may be offered in OSF cafeterias to use as a healthy eating and wellness initiative. (Photo provided by Paul Arco)

The produce is planted every spring and organized by OSF employees and volunteer community members who donate their time and talent to help plant, water, weed, harvest and build. In the past, volunteers have planted tomatoes, peppers, green beans, potatoes, cucumbers, watermelons, squash, melons, onions, among others.

“I am so proud of the love and care our Mission Partners and volunteers give our community gardens,” said Dawn Trompeter, president, OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center and OSF St. Paul Medical Center. “The gardens provide people an opportunity to gain gardening knowledge, empowering them to do it on their own. They also educate people about nutrition, food preparation and making healthier dietary decisions.”

This was the fourth year for the garden at OSF St. Paul, which produced the largest return in produce yet. The produce is offered to employees and for patient meals and donated to the Mendota Area Christian Food Pantry.

This was the fourth year for the garden at OSF St. Paul in Mendota, which produced the largest return in produce yet. The produce is offered to employees and for patient meals and donated to the Mendota Area Christian Food Pantry. Marisa Kibble is senior financial analyst and community gardens volunteer for OSF St. Paul.

This was the fourth year for the garden at OSF St. Paul in Mendota, which produced the largest return in produce yet. The produce is offered to employees and for patient meals and donated to the Mendota Area Christian Food Pantry. Marisa Kibble is senior financial analyst and community gardens volunteer for OSF St. Paul. (Photo provided by Paul Arco)

“This year, OSF St. Paul received a $7,500 grant from the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network and added four more raised beds and five fruit trees to expand our variety and help the community even more,” said Marisa Kibble, senior financial analyst and community gardens volunteer for OSF St. Paul.

The gardens are funded by donations made to the OSF HealthCare Foundation at each location. For more information on donating, contact Cherie Reynolds, director of development, at 815-431-5538.