Trinity Health Oakland in downtown Pontiac has received a $4 million planned gift to advance the hospital-based farm on its grounds.
The funds will go to support ongoing farm operations and to establish a new Food Hub — a dedicated food distribution center on the hospital campus.
The gift comes from Dr. Ross Weinstein, a donor and retired emergency department physician at the hospital who established the Susan Weinstein Alberts Endowed Farming Fund in 2021 in memory of his sister. A portion of the bequest will support the established endowment.
“I am inspired by The Farm’s work to feed those in our community that are food insecure,” says Weinstein. “As a serious gardener, I like the forward-thinking idea of connecting nutrition to more traditional medicine, as well as community and resident education.
“I’m so impressed with how far The Farm has come in just five years, and I’m excited to make this planned gift to support the construction of a food hub, which is a key piece in fully realizing the vision of The Farm.”
The new Food Hub at Trinity Health Oakland is envisioned to be a community space that will support expanded food distribution and a wider range of programs.
When complete, it will serve as a hub for initiatives such as cooking demonstrations, culinary education classes, and community gatherings. It also will help connect patients and neighbors with access to nutritious food, education, and resources that promote wellness.
“At Trinity Health, we believe that food is medicine,” says Dr. Fabian Fregoli, chief medical officer and president of Trinity Health Oakland. “Whether it’s during a visit to the emergency department or a routine check-up, we’re committed to meeting our patients where they are, connecting them not only with high-quality medical care, but also with access to nutritious food and education.”
Constructed in 2020 just outside the hospital’s North entrance, The Farm at Trinity Health Oakland spans 1.3 acres and features space for food production, a cut flower garden, an herb garden, two hoop houses, and a timber-frame pavilion that serves as a location for meals and community gatherings.
It is one of three hospital-based farms within Trinity Health Michigan, alongside similar sites at Trinity Health Ann Arbor and Trinity Health Muskegon. The Farm is part of Trinity Health’s broader Food is Medicine initiative, which seeks to address nutrition insecurity and advance health equity across Michigan communities.
Interested community members can sign up for a Farm Share, The Farm’s seasonal produce subscription program. To learn more about The Farm and how to get involved, including volunteer opportunities, visit The Farm.
Trinity Health Michigan is a health care provider and one of the state’s largest employers with more than 26,000 full-time employees serving 29 counties. Trinity Health Michigan is composed of 10 hospitals located in Ann Arbor, Byron Center, Chelsea, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Howell, Livonia, Muskegon, Pontiac, and Shelby Township, along with two medical groups.
The health system has 2,410 beds and 5,729 physicians and advanced practice providers. With operating revenue of $4.7 billion, Trinity Health Michigan reports it returns $232.2 million back to the local communities each year.
