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​VeggieRX and Loyola University Health System (LUHS) Partner for Low-Cost, Healthy Food

10/24/2018

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Veggie Rx is a new weekly program that provides free produce to SNAP participants, incorporates healthy cooking demonstrations, and a low-cost farm stand to community members at the Loyola Center for Health at Elmwood Park. This partnership between PP4H, Windy City Harvest, and LUHS aims to increase access to fresh, locally grown, affordable foods to residents in Proviso Township.  Each week, participants receive recipes, produce, and support to increase their fruit and vegetable intake. 
 
As an example, on Thursday, October 18, fifteen VeggieRX participants enjoyed a Tangy Asian Salad dressing prepared by the team, and received a free bag of produce that included swiss chard, sweet peppers, baby red beets, lettuce mix, Asian greens, and purple carrots grown locally by Windy City Harvest. 
 
The pop-up farm stand offers produce grown at the Proviso Partners Giving Garden in Maywood at affordable prices and has reached record breaking sales for the season! 
 
Please join us every Thursday from 4-6pm at 7255 W Grand Ave, Elmwood Park, now through November 15, 2018.  Anyone can participate in the cooking demonstration and farm stand, but to receive a bag of produce, you must be an active SNAP participant.
 
For more information, ask your healthcare provider or contact Mary Mora at [email protected] • 708.531.5929

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Veggie RX participant Mr. McGhee has been using his culinary skills to prepare his produce....and has the photo to prove it!
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The Giving Garden Participates in the Cook County Department of Public Health Food Summit October 5-6, 2018

10/22/2018

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PictureThe Giving Garden tour.
Co-sponsored by the Cook County DPH and Loyola University Health Sciences, the theme of this year’s food summit was “How to Make Good Food Widely Available and Cheap".

At the Pre-Summit Urban Farms Tour on the morning of October 5, participants saw two local urban farms, the Proviso Giving Garden and the OK Farm*, (a program developed by the organization Opportunity Knocks).  Both gardens were developed on land donated by ReUse Depot at 50 W. Madison Street, Maywood, IL

The participants heard each farm’s story, and how they support social and business enterprises that are making a difference to local communities and residents. Chris Epps led the Giving Garden tour.


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Tour at the OK garden
Opportunity Knocks is dedicated to providing opportunities and resources for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities so they may pursue their educational, occupational and social interests.

History of the OK Farm
The OK Farm was conceived in late 2015 as a way to give the Warriors a role in the local sustainable food movement by creating a ‘seed to jar’ experience with our Knockout Pickle production.  The idea was to plant, grow and harvest the key supply requirements in order to produce a locally grown and locally made pickle.   

​The Farm was launched in April through a land partnership with our friends at Reuse Depot and a tremendous amount of support from many others in terms of volunteer hours, landscape/garden supplies and equipment.  In a short period of time, we turned a 2,500 square foot field off Madison Street into lush, handicap-accessible urban farm.  
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Giving Garden CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Starts This Year

10/22/2018

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The Giving Garden is experimenting with a CSA for Fall 2018. Depending on community interest and involvement, this may turn into a year-wide program! For a set fee, participants will get a weekly box of vegetables. All vegetables are from the Giving Garden and will change as the season changes and what is being harvested that week.

For more information, contact garden manager Chris Epps at [email protected]
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Proviso Partners for Health Giving Garden Participates in Loyola University’s 2018 Nutrition Expo

10/16/2018

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PictureChristopher Epps discusses Food Justice with a Loyola Health System employee.
PP4H’s Giving Garden had a display at the Nutrition Expo for Health Care Professionals, April 3, 2018. Garden manager Christopher Epps discussed the health benefits of gardening and of fresh grown food and opportunities to volunteer with the Giving Garden community. More than a dozen people signed up to volunteer at the garden and farm stand. Chris also sold bags of this year’s first crop of spinach from the garden!
 
The Expo was located at Loyola’s Maywood campus and sponsored by the School of Nursing Dietetic Interns, Stritch School of Medicine, and the Accelerated Bachelor’s of Science Nursing program. The expo covered all aspects of patient nutrition for medical students, doctors, nurses, and staff at Loyola and Loyola University Health Care System.

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    _______________________________
    Food Justice  Supporting the local food system through urban gardening and farm stands
    • Cultivates health equity and community economic business development
    • Manages the urban agriculture growing, harvest donations, and farm stand sales for the Giving Garden and other PP4H community gardens
    • Educates and trains Proviso youth on urban agriculture and improving job readiness skills 
    • Supports PP4H's Veggie RX no-cost fresh produce distribution program serving local families in partnership with Loyola health clinics​

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