For the last decade, associates at Ascension Calumet Hospital have been breaking down barriers to provide healthy food to those without access through a thriving community garden.
The hospital created 30 plots, measuring 4’ x 6', on its grounds. These plots are available for any community member to rent for free and grow their own produce.
“There’s so much value to a community garden,” said Community Garden Co-Lead Kimberly Buechel. ”It gives the community, within city limits, who don’t have much yard space, the ability to have a garden, and the opportunity to grow healthy food for their family.”
Associates also tend to a plot dedicated for Ascension Calumet use. Once ripe, those fully-grown fruits and vegetables are then harvested from the hospital’s garden and placed on a table at the main entrance of the hospital, where any visitor can come in and take the produce home free of charge.
“The way we have it set up, it can even be an exchange of goods,” said Community Garden Co-Lead Tammy Zastrow. “People can leave a tomato and pick up a cucumber. If they don’t have anything to trade, that’s okay too, the important thing is that people are taking home fresh, healthy food they may not otherwise have access to.”
In addition, Ascension Calumet has allocated several garden plots to community groups and organizations in the area to support community programs. This includes the New Hope Center and Calumet County Behavioral Health.
“Letting the community know we’re here for them and invested in their health is important,” said Zastrow. “We strive every day to live out our Ascension mission of caring for those who are most vulnerable in our communities, and I believe this community garden fulfills a need for many people in our area.”
After renting out every plot in 2025, Ascension Calumet associates hope to expand the garden this year.
