Happy Spring and social solidarity through spacial distancing! It’s been a whirlwind, but despite the uncertainty swirling around us, there is so much spring goodness coming our way. We have a hoop house full of greens that are being harvested and we will be giving this life-giving food to our front-line colleagues and to our community partners. We are determined to find safe ways to continue to provide healthy nutritious food to our community members and support our local farmers!
Fun Farm Updates!
- Propagation Hoop House is up! BIG thanks to Washtenaw County Health Department and their Building Healthy Communities Program and Nifty Hoops for helping us get this building up!
- We are building a Food Hub!! The Farm looks like a construction site at the moment but it’s going to provide us with more distribution space for produce and programs!
- Daffodils are coming up!
- The robins are so happy and fluffy!
Now on to the business…
The Farm at St. Joe’s current priorities are:
- Doing our part to contain any spread and mitigate the effects of COVID-19 —both physically and mentally— for staff, volunteers, and community members.
- Planning how The Farm will safely provide nourishing food from local farms that will be essential this season.
This is how the Farm Share Program will be providing safe access to healthy food:
- Curbside pick up – Wednesday-Friday (schedule TBD).
- Using single-use packaging (brown bags instead of boxes).
- Strict sanitation of surfaces protocol is in place throughout The Farm.
- Staff who handle produce and food-contact surfaces practice strict hand washing and hospital health assessment standards.
In the meantime, on behalf of our entire Farm team, we are truly appreciative of all of you and we are working hard to keep the essential service of providing nutrious food to Farm Share members and the community at large.
We still have spots open to join this season, please register HERE.
Questions we’ve been getting:
What is The Farm Doing To Stay Safe?
To keep our workplace healthy, we are following stringent precautionary measures like frequent hand washing, sterilizing our work environments, use of gloves, and social distancing.
Can I Come Volunteer?
At this time, in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, we are not accepting volunteers at The Farm. As this changes, we will let you know.
I’m Struggling To Access Food Right Now. Where Can I Go?
If anyone finds themselves in need of emergency food resources, they can dial 2-1-1 to connect to United Way’s 211 call center. The operator will be able to provide info on the nearest food distribution location.
Can I Donate? Where? How?
Yes! We are working hard to provide food and assistance to food insecure families. Please consider donating – https://stjoesfarm.org/donate/
I’ve Got Another Question!
Send us an email at FarmShare@stjoeshealth.org or call us at (734) 712-0501. We’re in and out of the office, so please feel free to leave a message. We will get back with you. Thank you for your patience!
How to help the hospital during this challenging time?
Community Donation of Needed Supplies for St. Joe’s Ann Arbor
In response, the hospital has organized a Donation Center at the Towsley Building, on the campus of St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor. The following unopened (click here) items can be dropped off.
Hours for donations will be 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. seven days a week (Hours may change due to availability of staffing). Read more.