Student Dietitians Explore Grow2Heal Garden in Homestead

For the graduate student dietitian, a culminating experience in the “Culinary lab” course included a visit to Baptist Hospitals’ Grow2Heal Garden in Homestead, FL. The KPCOM, Department of Nutrition established a relationship with Baptist Health and Garden Manager, Thi Squire four years ago. The garden opened in 2014 with the goal to reach members of the community, improve their health, and prevent future disease. You can read more about the garden at https://baptisthealth.net/baptist-health-news/grow2heal-homestead-hospitals-community-garden .

The nutrition students were given a list of vegetables, herbs, and spices that were currently growing in the garden and would be available for their use. On the list was green papaya, rainbow chard, kale, yellow cauliflower, and tomatoes. Upon arrival, items such as ramen noodles, couscous, chickpeas, and chicken were added to the list. The students were challenged with creating a “Farm to Table” experience and then serving this meal to the Garden Manager, her assistants, their professor, and each other.

Quickly the students divided into three groups, devised their menu, and went to work. This challenge brought together the various concepts that they had learned from Food Service Management, Culinary Nutrition, Medical Nutrition Therapy, World Culture, Wellness, and other courses. The items created were: Green Papaya Slaw with a homemade Chili-Garlic dressing, Fresh Garden Vegetable Stir Fry, and Crispy Chickpea, Cauliflower, & Couscous salad with a Lemon-turmeric Herb dressing. The meal was enjoyed by all. Following lunch, students toured the garden, identifying various vegetables and herbs that grow well in the South Florida climate.

Student Dietitian, Sarah Jarrett commented that the garden was “a space to learn, nourish, and heal both yourself and others.” Cara Gonnello added, “Spending time at the Grow2Heal garden in Homestead was a fantastic hands-on experience for our cohort.”

Posted 03/12/23