Aria Health-Frankford saw the “fruits” of its labor at the fall harvest of its new community garden. In partnership with the Lutheran Settlement House, Aria Health created this garden to take a
Pictured left to right: Karen Sobczak, MSN, RN, Clinical Director, Aria Health-Frankford, and Bob McArdle, Gardener, Aria Health
Photo Credit: Robert Neroni Photography
new approach in combining its commitment to the community and encouraging preventative care.
Aria organized the project, under the direction of Karen Sobczak, MSN, RN, Clinical Director, Aria Health-Frankford, and Bob McArdle, gardener, Aria Health. McArdle led the planting initiative and planted the garden with the maintenance staff team. The team planted vegetables including lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, and eggplant, as well as herbs including parsley and basil. The vegetables were harvested every Monday while in season,
The harvested crops were donated to the Lutheran Settlement House, a non-profit, community-based organization committed to serving vulnerable children, adults, and families living in Philadelphia.
Next year, Aria Health plans to expand this effort to more widely involve those in the Frankford area in the planting, managing and harvesting of the garden in order to promote healthy foods to its surrounding community.
