New community garden in Lynnwood part of broader effort to make fresh produce accessible

Volunteers and staff from the Snohomish Conservation District and Sea Mar Medical Clinic built a community garden to improve access to fresh produce in South Snohomish County. This initiative, part of the Harvest at Home program, targets residents facing financial challenges. The garden will provide vegetables for patients and support health education programs that emphasize nutrition as a means to manage conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Sea Mar Health Educator Daniella Ochoa noted that patients can volunteer and take home vegetables. Nutritionist Sandra Aramburu highlighted that engaging children in the growing process may encourage them to eat more vegetables.

The clinic also plans to incorporate garden produce into cooking demonstrations. A future garden partnership with the Edmonds Boys and Girls Club will further promote healthy eating among families, offering educational programming focused on nutrition and health outcomes. The Harvest at Home program reflects a broader effort to enhance food accessibility and community well-being in the region.