An increasing number of hospitals in Southeast Michigan are growing their own produce for patients and selling healthy food through farmer’s markets on their campuses.
Experts say that 80 percent of chronic disease, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer, can be prevented, or conditions can be improved, through better diet and exercise.
The latest health care facility to offer fresh produce is Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital. The nonprofit hospital hired a resident farmer and this week opened a new 1,500-square-foot greenhouse to grow organic produce for patients on its 160-acre campus in Oakland County.
The greenhouse, under the direction of Michelle Lutz, will grow a variety of produce, including tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, eggplant, cucumber, peas, beans, strawberries, Swiss chard, Chinese cabbage and herbs.