Boston Medical Center planted a 2,658-square-foot farm on a roof terrace in 2017 to supply the hospital’s kitchen and food pantry with fresh produce, according to an article on the Physician's Weekly website.
The farm grows over 25 crop varieties and makes honey from two beehives. One full-time farmer, one part-time assistant, a beekeeper and hospital volunteers help run the farm.
In its first season, the farm grew more than 5200 pounds of produce, including leafy greens, herbs and vegetables.
The rooftop farm also led to other initiatives at the facility. The hospital's teaching kitchen now has free classes that use fresh produce from the farm to teach employees, patients and their families how to cook healthy meals.
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