House of Hope Unveils its Garden on Wheels, an Innovative New Way to Teach Good Nutrition
STUART, Fla. – House of Hope, a leader in innovative ways to feed the community and improve nutritional status, has a fun new way to teach both children and adults about good nutrition.
The Traveling Nutrition Education Garden will soon be making its way through neighborhoods throughout Martin County, bringing growing plants and useful information to schools, churches, neighborhood gatherings and special events.
The eye-catching garden on wheels is a collaboration between House of Hope and Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, with support from the Children’s Services Council of Martin County (CSC). “We can’t have a garden everywhere in the community, but our Traveling Nutrition Education Garden can go everywhere,” said House of Hope CEO Rob Ranieri. “It gives us a chance to bring our living plants and knowledgeable staff directly to people who need the information and make the lessons fun and practical.”
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 17, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health CEO Rob Lord noted that this is the only mobile garden of its kind in the state of Florida and one of only a few in the country.
“We’re delighted to be a partner in this effort,” Lord said, “because we know all too well the direct correlation between health and nutrition. If nutrition improves, health improves, and fewer people have to be admitted for hospital care.”
The Children’s Services Council has been a partner in the effort from the very beginning, explained CSC Executive Director David Heaton during the unveiling ceremony.
“This is really a cutting-edge project that will help kids understand the value of high-quality food. The lessons will help them for a lifetime.”
A team from the engineering company UNew, led by intern Matthew Maus, volunteered to design the traveling garden and made it look like an actual garden. Complete Fabrication volunteered its welding services.
The Traveling Nutrition Education Garden is ready to roll. Groups and organizations can contact House of Hope at 772-286-4673 to schedule presentations and can track its participation at various community events on the House of Hope website www.hohmartin.org.
About House of Hope
Founded in 1984, House of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers Martin County residents to overcome hunger and hardship. House of Hope touches the lives of more than 7,000 people each month helping with basic needs such as food, clothing, furniture, financial assistance, as well as longer-term case management services that help build life skills for a more self-sufficient future.
The organization has service centers and thrift stores in Stuart, Hobe Sound, Indiantown, and Jensen Beach. House of Hope’s Golden Gate Center for Enrichment in Stuart offers free programs, technology, and workshops designed to enhance life skills, earning potential, health, and overall well-being.
House of Hope also operates the Growing Hope Farm in Palm City and several nutrition gardens that provide sustainable sources of fresh produce for clients as well as nutrition education and vocational opportunities to the community. For more information, visit hohmartin.org or call 772-286-4673. Updates and announcements can also be found on Facebook, Instagram Instagram, and Twitter.