Supporting Health Through Food
The Boston-based non-profit organization Community Servings prepares and delivers fresh, scratch-made meals to over 800 individuals and families living with acute, life-threatening illnesses. Each week, more than 9,600 meals are delivered to clients who are often homebound and nutritionally vulnerable.
Fresh Herbs for Better Nutrition?
CEO David Waters sought to expand their program by incorporating fresh herbs into daily meals, enhancing both flavour and nutritional value.
Despite limited space and sunlight, the idea sparked a new opportunity for collaboration. It’s easy to question whether growing herbs would have a meaningful nutritional impact at such a large scale.
David’s response shifted that perspective:
“The people that we serve are very sick—often almost too weak to eat the meals that we send. But the scents and tastes of fresh herbs work some kind of magic. They motivate our clients to eat the meals, which in turn helps them to stay strong.”
David Waters, CEO of Community Servings
Growing Success in Small Spaces
While the exact impact of the herbs is difficult to quantify, the program’s success is clear.
The original garden has expanded to 90 linear feet of growing space, now producing arugula alongside a variety of herbs. It is maintained by local gardeners and youth working toward their master gardener certification.
In 2013, Community Servings was recognized with a Food Innovators Award from the Mayor’s Office in Boston.
Designing Solutions
That Truly Serve!
At The Growing Connection, this project reinforced a simple but powerful lesson that ressonates through all of our collaborations: meaningful solutions begin with listening.
By understanding the lived experiences of clients like Community Servings’, even a seemingly small intervention, can have a profound impact on health, well-being, and quality of life.
For More gardens Inspiration
Read some of our other case studies featuring unique and compelling gardens.
Regent Park Popup
Developing popup gardens in public spaces to showcase sustainable food production even in challenging growing environments.
Grove Park Home
Animating and activating an unused courtyard to bring herbs and vegetables to a long term care home in Barrie
Milliken Mills HS
From expiring grant funding to lush garden within a few weeks at this Markham high school.
