Hancock Health expands Food is Medicine program

Hancock Health is expanding its Food Is Medicine work with the installation of a new hydroponic garden designed to provide fresh, nutrient-rich produce year-round for patients, associates and community members.

The 24-foot-long autonomous, climate-controlled growing environment is now installed at the Hancock Health’s Wellness Center in Greenfield, marking the next step in expanding the system’s Food Is Medicine efforts.  Registered dietitians who will lead the program have completed training, and the first crop was planted in June. The initial harvest, expected in late-July, will include lettuce as the team builds familiarity with the growing and harvesting process. Produce will first be distributed to participants in the Clinical Exercise Program, with additional harvest shared with Hancock Health associates and Wellness Center members.  Future plantings are expected to include bell peppers, cucumbers and other produce, with the long-term goal of making locally grown, nutritious food more broadly available throughout the community.

The hydroponic garden builds on Hancock Health’s Food Is Medicine initiative, which began several years ago through a grant from the Indiana Department of Health. Through that program, qualifying participants received eight weeks of fresh produce from a local farmer, along with visits with a registered dietitian to help remove barriers to using healthy foods at home.

“As we looked for ways to expand Food Is Medicine, we wanted to make fresh produce more accessible at the point of care and education,” said Emily Stoffel, registered dietitian, Hancock Health. “This hydroponic garden gives us a way to grow produce year-round and connect it directly to the people we serve through our Wellness Centers.”

By locating the container within the footprint of Hancock Health’s medical fitness campus, the health system is creating a new model for integrating fresh food access into preventive health, chronic disease management and wellness education.

“This system is a fully autonomous, year-round growing environment that can support hundreds of individuals through monthly harvests,” said Joel Hungate, assistant vice president, strategy & integrated well-being, Hancock Health. This means minimal work is needed from the team to help with the growing process. After placing the pod, the grow towers do all watering, light and rotation with a click of a button. No weeding, bug or animal interference, or death of plants because of variable water or sun. “We are excited to make fresh produce available at the point of care and education part of a health system caring for its own associates and community.”

While the program is still in its early stages, Hancock Health leaders see the hydroponic garden as an important next step in helping people understand the connection between nutrition and health. The garden is expected to support wellness programming, nutrition education and future produce distribution opportunities through the Wellness Centers.

“Food Is Medicine is about more than providing produce,” said Stoffel. “It is about helping people feel confident using fresh foods in ways that support their health, fit their lifestyle and remove barriers to long-term wellness.”