By Howard Packowitz

NORMAL – The garden sprouting up in back of the Community Health Care Clinic on Franklin Avenue in Normal is part of a local effort to curb obesity.

Donors and volunteers have been planting vegetables in the garden since Mother’s Day. The produce is intended to help feed clinic patients who can’t afford or are having trouble finding fresh fruits and vegetables.

A community health needs assessment listed combating obesity as a health priority this year, and local faith-based organizations have the same objective, according to Reverend Mollie Ward, Director of Mission and Spiritual Care for Advocate BroMenn Medical Center.

“We’re supported by a number of churches in the community, the Delegate Church Association,” said Ward. “And, one of their primary focuses would be on obesity this year,” she added.

Ward said people will be able to take home lettuce in the next month or two, and tomatoes in late August or early September.

She said the clinic expects to receive grant money for fruit trees, and after they’re planted, it will take a couple of years to produce a yield.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]