Rush Breaks Ground on Chicago Urban Farm
Rush University Medical Center began building an urban garden at 1750 West Harrison as part of its Food Is Medicine program.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Organic Food
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Rush University Medical Center broke ground on a new urban farm on Monday, November 9, 2026, at 1750 West Harrison. The garden is part of Rush's Food Is Medicine (Veggie Rx) program, which links healthy food to patient care.
Why it matters
Doctors will write prescriptions for patients to visit the urban farm or Rush Pantry for healthy food, treating nutrition as part of care. The project aims to make healthier foods more affordable for residents in Chicago.
Patients can receive up to six months of free fruits and vegetables for their homes through the program. The farm will grow tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, squash, basil, and thyme, with no yield totals yet reported.
The players
Rush University Medical Center
A major Chicago academic hospital that runs the Food Is Medicine program and is building the urban farm.
The details
Medical students and volunteers will manage the farm, and patients admitted to the Medicine Meal program can have meals delivered to their doors. The farm is designed to show that food can be medicine, since a healthy diet is critical to warding off disease.
Timeline
Monday, November 9, 2026: Rush University Medical Center breaks ground on the urban farm.
Health Landscape
The urban farm extends Rush's Food Is Medicine (Veggie Rx) program, which ties produce prescriptions to clinical care. It reflects a broader move by hospitals to treat access to fresh food as a component of patient treatment.
Chicago residents who are food insecure may qualify for up to six months of free fruits and vegetables through a doctor's prescription. Patients admitted to the Medicine Meal program can also have meals delivered to their homes.
The takeaway
Fresh food can be part of treatment, and patients should ask their care team whether a produce prescription or meal program is available to them.
Further reading
Explore more on Organic Food to see how fresh, locally grown produce is reshaping everyday eating in Chicago.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WGN-TV.
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