So much more than a plot of land, the Whittier Street Health Center Community Garden is rooted in a  mission to address social detriments of health. For many in our community, access to fresh and affordable food – critical to maintaining good health – is unavailable. Constantly rising food prices, lack of nearby grocery stores, and inadequate transportation are some of the structural inequities many in our neighborhoods struggle against daily.

At Whittier, we see first-hand how food insecurity affects the health and wellbeing of our patients. Our commitment to addressing these inequities was the impetus for the Whittier Community Garden, first introduced in 2015 as part of our Wellness and Fitness initiative.

With the theme of “Plant Love, Harvest Hope,” the garden, now in its 11^th year, the garden is a life line to many individuals and families in our community with limited access to fresh produce. In addition to reaping the benefits of the seasonal harvest, community members maintain the raised garden beds where vegetable, herbs, and culturally relevant crops are planted, providing a sense of ownership that nourishes both body and soul.

Open in early May through late October the Community Garden is located outside of the health center, at 1290 Tremont Street in Roxbury. On Thursdays throughout the growing season, patients are invited to attend our Garden Club from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. and receive a free bag of freshly harvested produce.