On Thursday, October 1st, students from the University of South Florida (USF) Patel College of Global Sustainability (PCGS) recently stepped outside the classroom to explore how food access, community health, and sustainable agriculture come together at the TampaWell Food Pharmacy and Community Garden in East Tampa. Led by PCGS faculty member Dr. Joseph Dorsey, the field trip gave students working on projects connected to TampaWell an opportunity to experience the site firsthand, learn more about its operations, and better understand the community their work is intended to support.
During the visit, Jenise Carr, Food Pharmacy and Community Garden Manager, providing PCGS students with a tour of TampaWell Food Pharmacy and Community Garden.
During the visit, Jenise Carr, Food Pharmacy and Community Garden Manager, guided students through the site and shared insights into the initiatives underway, from the Food Pharmacy to the teaching garden and outdoor learning spaces.
Connecting Food and Health
The TampaWell Food Pharmacy and Community Garden was developed through a partnership involving Tampa General Hospital, the City of Tampa, and Feeding Tampa Bay to address food insecurity and improve access to nutritious food in the community. The initiative follows a “Food as Medicine” approach, connecting healthy food and nutrition education with healthcare. Patients identified through a clinical referral process can access fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy staples at no cost
The initiative goes beyond providing food. Its one-acre community teaching garden and outdoor classroom are designed to help residents build knowledge and skills related to growing food, preparing nutritious meals, and supporting their health through diet.
For PCGS students, seeing these components work together provided important context for their class projects. Graduate students were invited to contribute ideas and solutions to support the continued development of the Food Pharmacy and Community Garden.
Community Garden as a Living Classroom
Jenise Carr explains organic gardening practices and discusses how sustainability guides decisions on crop choice
As Carr guided students through the garden, she explained how sustainability considerations influence decisions about what is planted and how the space is managed. The garden also demonstrates what community members can grow in their own spaces.
Students learned about organic gardening practices, soil health, and the role of pollinators in supporting the garden ecosystem. Carr explained that the garden avoids chemical treatments and uses practices such as wood-chip ground cover to support microbial activity and healthy soil.
A recurring theme throughout the tour was multipurpose design—selecting plants that can serve several functions within the landscape. Some plants provide food while also supporting pollinators, helping manage insects or adding visual interest to the space. Lemongrass, for example, can be used for cooking and tea, while also serving as an ornamental plant and helping deter mosquitoes.
Turning Classroom Learning into Community Impact
The visit builds on an ongoing relationship between PCGS students and the TampaWell initiative. Previous student projects have supported crop planning, greenhouse development, and K–12 food education programming.
By visiting the site before advancing their projects, students gained a clearer understanding of the physical environment, community needs, and operational considerations that can shape their recommendations.
The experience reflects PCGS's applied approach to sustainability education: connecting academic learning with organizations and communities working on real-world challenges. Through projects such as the TampaWell Food Pharmacy and Community Garden, students can not only study sustainability concepts but also explore how those concepts can contribute to healthier, more resilient communities.