Big changes are coming to the Merit Medical Employee Garden this summer. Announcing the 2024 garden expansion at our Salt Lake facility, a project designed to expand access to fresh veggies, fruits, and herbs to our hard-working team.
Let’s explore the changes in store.
Our Garden, Past and Present
Since 2016, Merit Farm and Garden works year-round to support our team’s wellness. With thousands of pounds of produce grown on-site each season, our gardeners offer a variety of programs intended to provide nutritious options to our employees and their families. Each year, the garden initiative grows—and with the recently announced expansion, 2024 is on track to flourish.
The expansion includes a larger area for growing, a big gazebo for events, a kids’ gardening area, and places for employees to relax and reflect on the world around them.
We caught up with Laura Flower, Director of Garden Engagement and Employee Well-Being, to hear about her plans.
“We’re more than doubling the existing size of the garden, which doubles our food production,” said Laura. “The expansion will also allow us to host a wide range of classes and workshops, and employees are invited to be creative in how they use the space. I continue to be amazed by how the garden has transformed Merit culture at our Salt Lake site.”
Supporting Wellness, One Veggie at a Time
As a healthcare company, Merit prioritizes ensuring employees feel supported on their wellness journeys. It’s no secret that diets rich in the vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients found in fruits and veggies have a positive impact on a person’s health. With evidence suggesting that produce lowers a person’s risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, we believe that nutrition is key to a happier, healthier team.
Each spring, employees are invited to plant, tend, and harvest their very own garden box, which provides a place to learn about gardening for those who may not have space at home. Additionally, during the summer, our team may participate in the U-Pick program, where in exchange for a few minutes of volunteering in the garden, they may take home a basket of fresh produce to their families. Both activities are a great way to encourage our team to spend time in the sun.
Our on-site cafeteria also makes use of the produce grown in the garden, using it to craft a variety of delicious meals.
The garden expansion seeks to increase accessibility to these activities—and more. “We’re all aware of the rising cost of food, and our garden tries to reduce strain on employees by providing fresh produce for free,” Laura remarked. “Our garden also provides a no-cost activity for families to spend time together. We encourage employees to bring their partners and children to participate in U-Pick and attend Kids’ Gardening Days.”
Laura reminisced about the positive impact the garden has had. “Last year, I got to know the wife and kids of one of our employees through their attendance at U-Pick, and at the season’s end, she remarked that it likely saved her at least $300 in produce over the summer. For a family, those savings are huge.”
The expansion aims to further keep employees well-fed while aiding their budgets.
Bringing People Together
Merit is known for its family-like work environment. One aspect that the expansion hopes to encourage is the garden’s capability to break down barriers and bring our team closer.
“As important as the food is, so is providing a space to build community. I’m most excited about creating a gathering place that can facilitate a lot more people,” said Laura. “Aside from hosting events, we’re diversifying the foods we grow to include those meaningful to the different communities at Merit. The expansion allows us to not only grow more staple crops, like melons, zucchini, and tomatoes, but offers room to bring in international foods, too. For example, we’re growing calabacita, an important squash in many dishes from Mexico, African spinach, and bitter melon.”
Food is a universal language and a powerful tool for strengthening bonds, uniting people, and fostering understanding. By growing a wider variety of cultural staple foods and hosting family events—as well as sponsoring World Food Days, where employees of different backgrounds are invited to share recipes from their culture for the cafeteria to prepare and serve—the garden hopes to be a meeting place where everyone feels welcome.
More to Come
This is only the beginning of a fresh era for the garden, and we’re excited to share more news and updates across our social media platforms. Be sure to hit the follow button for all things garden-related.
Wondering how you can get involved? For benefits like this and so much more, browse our career landing page for open positions.