Boston Medical Center’s Rooftop Gardens: Cultivating Health Beyond Traditional Medicine
At Boston Medical Center (BMC), patient care extends beyond the confines of traditional medicine. Innovative programs, such as the hospital’s rooftop gardens, are making a significant impact on the well-being of patients, particularly those facing food insecurity. This year, BMC expanded its initiative by opening a second rooftop garden, where fresh produce is grown and distributed to the hospital’s food pantry, serving patients in need.
“I find myself eating healthier,” shared Malinda King, a patient benefiting from the program. “Now I’m more into salads and yogurts. It’s really been a good process for me, I must say.”
The food pantry, managed by Latchman Hiralall since its inception in 2001, has grown exponentially. “When we started the program, we thought we were going to serve 500 people per month. Now, we’re serving 7,000 people per month,” Hiralall explained. The pantry caters to patients with a variety of medical conditions, including food allergies, diabetes, hypertension, and kidney failure. Operating on a referral basis, the program ensures that patients receive food tailored to their specific health needs.
While the majority of the pantry’s food supply comes from the Greater Boston Food Bank, this year, over 6,000 pounds of fresh produce were harvested directly from BMC’s rooftop gardens. “We chose to grow a lot of crops that are easily identifiable,” said Sarah Hastings, farm manager for the BMC rooftop farms. “We also grow a lot of crops that are significant to different cultures.”
For many patients, access to fresh, healthy food is a rarity. “So many of our patients are living in what we call food deserts—areas where there is limited access to healthy, fresh foods,” explained Dr. Anna Goldman. “This lack of access can lead to chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. Providing healthy, fresh food has a profound impact on managing these conditions.”
The produce from the rooftop gardens primarily supplies the food pantry, with about one-third going directly to patient meals. Additionally, a farmers’ market is held for hospital staff, further promoting healthy eating habits among the BMC community. Currently, the rooftop farms operate through the end of October, but organizers are exploring the possibility of constructing a greenhouse to enable year-round cultivation of fresh vegetables.
BMC’s rooftop gardens exemplify how healthcare institutions can address social determinants of health, such as food insecurity, in innovative and impactful ways. By integrating fresh, culturally relevant produce into patient care, BMC is not only nourishing bodies but also fostering long-term health and wellness.
