Women & Infants starts community garden

PROVIDENCE – Asserting that there are healing powers to working the earth in a garden – not to mention the nutritional benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables – staff with the Integrative Care Program in Women’s Oncology at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island have launched a community gardening program for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers.
Dubbed Gardens of Hope and Healing, the new program is currently available at the Hope Valley Ranch and Retreat Center in Hopkinton. Other locations in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts are to be added.
Through Gardens of Hope and Healing, people are invited to create, plant, nurture, gather, share and enjoy homegrown organic fruits, vegetables and herbs. They will also be given recipes for nutritious meals using the various produce they reap. They can have their own plots or work the main plot. •