The VA Maine Healthcare System's garden has been providing fresh fruit and vegetables for veterans at the Chelsea facility for five years, according to an article on the Press Herald website.
The garden, on a patch of land on the 500-acre campus. It's divided into two sections – there are beds tended by nurses, physicians and others and a set of beds managed by veterans.
During the last growing season, the garden has produced about 750 pounds of fresh tomatoes, kale, lettuce, green beans, spinach, cucumbers, carrots, summer squash, radishes, Swiss chard and herbs that have been used in the hospital kitchen and by healthcare providers on campus.
When the garden's produce is harvested, it goes right into production if it’s a regular menu item, and it’s served within a couple of days.
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