Florida Atlantic: Food is Medicine

Recent statistics from the Florida Department of Health show that one in 10 Palm Beach County residents lack access to sufficient quality food and nearly 23% of the county is classified as a food desert. When four Florida Atlantic University medical students heard this alarming news, they decided to take action. They initiated Project Grow, a student-led community garden on the Boca Raton campus, to cultivate a healthier, more sustainable community through the philosophy that "food is medicine."

Project Grow serves as a source of fresh produce for the community combined with a living classroom where students grow fruits and vegetables, as well as develop knowledge, resilience and a deeper connection to the environment.

"Project Grow has taught me that understanding our communities and barriers to health goes beyond the classroom and hospital," said Madison Goon, co-founder of the project.

Goon and the three other students work to address food insecurity at the teaching space, where volunteers also learn about local farming, seasonal crops and the principles of good nutrition.

In 500 hours, more than 100 volunteers transformed a once-neglected greenhouse and gardening shed into functional spaces with 10 raised beds, eight fruit trees and a variety of in-ground vegetables. Medical students also use the garden-grown produce to educate patients at the Caridad Center in Boynton Beach about integrating gardening into their lives to provide sustainable, affordable and nutritious meals.

As the largest free clinic in Florida, according to the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, the Caridad Center serves 18% of low-income adult minorities in Palm Beach County.

During the recent Chronic Disease Prevention Health Fair Day at Caridad, Florida Atlantic students conducted workshops emphasizing the importance of diet in managing chronic diseases. These workshops covered topics like self-care, back-to-school readiness and nutrition education for breast cancer survivors, combining store-bought ingredients with garden produce to prepare more than 400 meals for Caridad Center patients.

YOUNG LEARNERS

Medical students also invite local students in kindergarten through 12th grades to participate in garden nutrition education classes, while promoting healthy eating habits and environmental stewardship in young learners. The goal of this educational outreach is to emphasize the importance of good nutrition and seasonal eating, inspiring a new generation to appreciate the benefits of a garden-to-table lifestyle.

"Project Grow has been an incredible journey of learning and community building," said Sara Burgoa, a Project Grow co-founder. "It has allowed us to make a tangible impact on our community’s health while fostering a deeper understanding of nutrition and sustainability."

FROM GARDEN TO KITCHEN"Central to the philosophy behind Project Grow is the belief that food is medicine and that good nutrition forms the bedrock of sustainable health," said Lisa Martinez, Ph.D., associate professor of medicine and faculty advisor for Project Grow. "This concept is not just a theory, but a way of life that the project brings to the community through practical, handson experiences."

Students offer meal preparation workshops, during which participants learn to create meals based on the garden’s bounty, including plump tomatoes, crisp cucumbers and fragrant basil. Participants also learn about the health benefits of these foods. For example, tomatoes are rich in antioxidants that can fight inflammation, while leafy greens are packed with vitamins essential for overall health.

"By bridging the gap between gardening and cooking, Project Grow offers a holistic approach to health. It’s not just about growing food, it’s about understanding its journey from the garden to the plate and appreciating its role in fostering wellbeing," Martinez said. "The dedication of our students to community health and education exemplifies the core values of our institution and sets a standard for future initiatives."