Nutritious Food and Sustainable Food Production

Dr. Renee Rodriguez-Goodemote of Saratoga Community Health Center and Daniel Williams of Pitney Meadows Community Farm describe how our multidimensional collaboration pairs food access with land access to promote a holistic and healthy relationship with food. We consider three key programs which have engaged CHC patients in the twin joys of nutritious food and sustainable food production.

First, the NutritionRx program provides patients with seasonal, farm-fresh produce, while simultaneously offering nutritional, culinary, and agricultural education. Second, CHC’s vegetable garden, supported by Pitney Meadows’ Sovereign Gardens Initiative, offers on-site engagement in food production and supplements the CHC’s pantry. Finally, both CHC employees and patients participate in the Farm’s harvest opportunities, building more meaningful relationships with food, land, and community.

By sharing our efforts to promote nutritional education, gardening opportunities, and participation in the rhythms of agriculture, we demonstrate that a long-term, direct collaboration between healthcare providers and food producers offers an effective way to promote the health and well-being of individuals and communities.