Illinois hospital rooftop garden to benefit three food pantries

HARVEY, Ill.—Thanks to careful tending, and an abundance of rain and sunshine over the last few weeks, a colorful array of vegetables are thriving in the month-old rooftop garden at Ingalls Memorial Hospital.

“Across the country and right here at Ingalls, urban gardens provide a sense of belonging, a wealth of healthy produce, and an opportunity to teach the young and old alike about better food choices and sustainability,” explains Joseph Moser, vice president of the Ingalls Development Foundation. “The Ingalls rooftop garden provides valuable opportunities to learn about healthy eating while creating a sustainable supply of fresh produce for three local food pantries.”

Accented by red geraniums and yellow marigolds, an array of vegetable plants, including carrots, beets, radishes, string beans, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and collard greens, fill the large wooden planters located on the fourth floor of the hospital’s parking deck.