West Bloomfield hospital expects greenhouse to lower food cost
Posted:
Updated:
By Robin Schwartz, Fox 2 News -
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital is growing healthy food at their new, state of the art greenhouse. (Credit: MyFox Detroit)
WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. (MyFox Detroit) -
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital's new greenhouse will provide food for visitors and patients year round. It's expected to reduce the hospital's food cost by more than $20,000 a year.
The $1 million, 1500 square foot facility is state of the art and uses hydroponics. Plants are grown in water instead of soil to produce healthy foods such as lettuce and greens, tomatoes, eggplant and beans.
An anonymous donor funded the green project.
"We want to be able to showcase how food could be grown in a really healthy environment without the use of any toxic chemicals, and then how you can use that food and prepare that food to avoid chronic diseases," said resident farmer Michelle Lutz.
The greenhouse is also for the community. It will serve as an educational site with workshops and tours for people of all ages.
"I really hope to see every day school buses from all around Southeast Michigan so that we can really help our children... in a fun manner start to think differently how they will take care of themselves through food," said Gerard van Grinsven, president and CEO of Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital.
He says the greenhouse fits perfectly into his vision to create a community center for well being.
The garden will provide therapy for patients and employees and serve as a teaching tool to inspire people to make healthier choices.
"This is being used as a prototype to show what we can do in the future," Lutz said.
It's an idea that could definitely grow. There is talk of a greenhouse one day in downtown Detroit and producing food for the entire Henry Ford system.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:59 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:59:53 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:51 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:51:26 GMT
A church community in Canton is reeling over the death of a young man. He was just married on Saturday and less than 24 hours later killed in a car crash on the way to the couple's honeymoon. His bride survived.
A church community in Canton is reeling over the death of a young man. He was just married on Saturday and less than 24 hours later killed in a car crash on the way to the couple's honeymoon. His bride survived.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 9:22 PM EDT2013-05-16 01:22:48 GMT
A Detroit-based startup is taking off and installing green energy systems across the globe. They are taking a unique approach using a network of expert "freelancers."
A Detroit-based startup is taking off and installing green energy systems across the globe. They are taking a unique approach using a network of expert "freelancers."
Monday, May 13 2013 6:19 PM EDT2013-05-13 22:19:48 GMT
A suspect is in custody after a bomb scare at Westland City Hall. We're told a man held a worker hostage as SWAT teams surrounded a building on Ford Road. Nobody was hurt.
A suspect is in custody after a bomb scare at Westland City Hall. We're told a man held a worker hostage as SWAT teams surrounded a building on Ford Road. Nobody was hurt.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:30 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:30:30 GMT
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:28:22 GMT
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:48 AM EDT2013-05-23 15:48:50 GMT
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is dropping his longtime lawyer. Kilpatrick told a judge Thursday that his relationship with James Thomas deteriorated long before his conviction.
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is dropping his longtime lawyer. Kilpatrick told a judge Thursday that his relationship with James Thomas deteriorated long before his conviction two months ago on corruption charges.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:59 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:59:53 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:58:41 GMT
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital is growing healthy food at their new, state of the art greenhouse. (Credit: MyFox Detroit)
