Community Supported Agriculture Sets Up Shop Next to Boise Hospital
Farmer Abdi Haji in his garden plot in Southeast Boise.
Saint Alphonsus is teaming up with Global Gardens to launch a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) distribution site adjacent to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise. Global Gardens, a program of the Idaho Office for Refugees and Jannus, Inc., provides entrepreneurial training to people who arrive in Boise through the refugee program, in growing and selling fresh produce.
"With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we were looking for ways to support our colleagues and these community gardeners," said Jennifer Palagi, Vice President of Community Health and Well-Being for Saint Alphonsus Health System. "By becoming a Global Gardens distribution partner, we are fulfilling our mission to help improve the health and quality of life for residents of the communities we serve."
Customers can subscribe to receive fresh produce once a week for 18 weeks, starting on June 2. Both full shares and half shares were available, and subscriptions sold out quickly. The Saint Alphonsus site is where farmer Abdi Haji, a former refugee from Somalia, sells his produce, including beets, kale, garlic, onions and carrots. He farms two sites: One on Pond Street on the Bench, and a plot in Southeast Boise.
"I am so pleased to be able to provide fresh, quality produce to Saint Alphonsus employees and the community around the hospital," Abdi said.
"We are practicing social distancing and are able to deliver fresh produce boxes to our customers without them even leaving their cars," said Rabiou Manzo, Global Gardens Manager. "We have provided training to Global Gardens growers about coronavirus-safe farming techniques and taking additional food safety measures."
Produce is distributed on Tuesday evenings from 4:30 to 7:00, at 6348 W. Emerald, at the intersection of Emerald and Liberty, on the Saint Alphonsus campus. Tuesday, June 2 is the first of 18 distribution dates under the partnership with Global Gardens.