Lankenau Medical Center has made good use of half an acre of its campus by turning it into a farm that helps it fight food insecurity, writes Aubrey Whelan for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Delema G. Deaver Wellness Farm at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood provides fresh produce for some of the medical center’s patients who cannot reliably access fresh foods.

Each year, the farm produces around 4,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables that are then distributed to those who need it the most. This is the eighth year of the farm’s operation.

From July through November, the farm provides a selection of six crops every two weeks to 40 families at a Lankenau primary care clinic which predominantly serves uninsured and underinsured patients.

Additionally, Lankenau’s health equity staff launched an education center nearly three decades ago to teach children about healthy eating.

“The thinking is that the more children could learn about healthy eating, as they become adults, they can implement that into their lifestyle,” said Maureen Krouse, Lankenau’s community health and equity manager.

Read more about Lankenau Medical Center fighting food insecurity in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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