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AMI FARM AT AUGUSTA HEALTH
The AMI Farm at Augusta Health started in 2018 as a joint venture of AMI and Augusta Health. AMI and Augusta Health share the vision that access to excellent health care includes access to healthy food. As of January 1, 2024, AMI handed over the reigns to Augusta Health who now manages the farm. You can read the statement by clicking here: Augusta Health & AMI Statement
Our 1-acre vegetable farm on the Augusta Health campus in Fishersville, VA supplied fresh, organically grown produce to the hospital food system, clinical integration initiatives, and community outreach programs focused on food security for disease prevention and community wellness.
Approximately 24,000 pounds of vegetables were grown yearly, supporting community health throughout Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro through the following initatives:
FOOD FARMACY
Food Farmacy was a prescription produce program in which patients with diet-related chronic health conditions, complicated by barriers to healthy food access, were referred to a 12-week course. Participants enjoyed health education classes taught by physicians, dietitians, and health educators. Each class was accompanied by cooking demonstrations led by Augusta Health’s chefs and participants received a weekly voucher to purchase freshly harvested vegetables. Each participant selected sufficient produce to supply their entire household for the duration of the program.
CROPS TO COMMUNITY
Augusta Health uses a "Social Determinants of Health" screening to identify patients with barriers to accessing food. These patients are provided with bi-monthly home delivery of seasonal produce, plus fresh eggs and meats from other local farmers. Recipes and produce guides accompany each delivery. Every two weeks, fresh produce boxes are delivered to 50 patients.
HOME HEALTH AND HOSPICE
Individuals who are either hospice patients or homebound patients with intensive health needs were offered boxes of produce from the farm. Nurses delivered boxes of freshly harvested vegetables to 40 households in Staunton and Augusta County every other week. Each box was brimming with 5-6 varieties, valued at $25, and was often accompanied by fresh flowers and a recipe.
AUGUSTA HEALTH CAMPUS
Vegetables were integrated into the Augusta Health campus through the Blue Ridge Cafeteria. Vegetables were also sold through an on-site farm stand and a CSA program for hospital employees.
STAUNTON-AUGUSTA HEALTH DEPARTMENT FARMERS MARKET
Produce was sold to families enrolled in Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers' Market Nutrition Program at this weekly market. By bringing the farmers market to the WIC clients in the same location and timeframe that the WIC clinicians see patients, the market had successfully increased voucher redemption rates and the produce intake of participating families.
VERONA COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY
Augusta Health’s Community Benefit implementation strategy prioritized distributing fresh produce to community members to increase food security. Vegetables were delivered to the Verona Community Food Pantry to increase community access to fresh, local, and organically grown produce.
Education
Community education was central to the mission of the AMI Farm at Augusta Health. In addition to the food literacy resources and recipes that accompany vegetable distribution, farm staff offered a number of workshops and webinars for the general public. Topics ranged from home gardening to understanding the food system, confident cooking with fresh produce, and understanding the health benefits of a plant-rich diet. All health information was taught in collaboration with the Augusta Health staff.
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