The Catholic Health Association at its 2013 annual meeting presented the Achievement Citation Award for innovative programming to the staff of St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor and Livingston for the hospital system's The Farm at St. Joe's.
Deborah A. Proctor (left), chairperson, Catholic Health Association of the United States Board of Trustees; Rob Casalou, president and CEO of St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor and Livingston hospitals; Dan Bair, director of hospital farming; and Sr. Carol Keehan, DC, president and chief executive officer, Catholic Health Association of the United States.
Photo by Michael Katada
Located at St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor, The Farm's mission is to demonstrate healthy lifestyles by allowing patients, volunteers and visitors to experience firsthand the link between fresh air, exercise, fresh food, nutrition and good health.
Since its opening in April 2010 on 20 acres, the Farm now has a total of three hoop houses, including the first accessible hoop house at a hospital in the United States. The produce grown is used in meals at St. Joe’s Market Cafe for associates and visitors, patient meals, and is available to community at the weekly farmer’s market in the hospital lobby.
In addition, more than 3,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables have been donated to food banks such as Food Gatherers in Washtenaw County.
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