Bags of harvested vegetables fill the air with earthy aromas. The Food Project is more than just a farm. It is a community. It is a movement. Founded in 1991 by Ward Cheney, The Food Project brings together youth from diverse backgrounds. They work towards building a sustainable food system.
The Food Project employs about 140 teenagers each year. These teens work on 70 acres of urban and suburban farmland across eastern Massachusetts. They grow 200,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables. This food helps them to kickstart innovative food system initiatives. These initiatives increase access to healthy food for all.
The Food Project operates in several locations. These include Lincoln, Roxbury, and the North Shore of Massachusetts. The North Shore branch has farms in Lynn and Beverly. The main offices are in Lincoln Center.
Youth involvement is central to The Food Project’s mission. The Summer Youth Program hires participants in the spring. The youth are divided into crews. Each crew has about 10 workers, an assistant crew leader, and a crew leader. Crews rotate throughout the growing season. They gain experience on farms in Lincoln and Roxbury. They also work in hunger-relief institutions. These include the Pine Street Inn and Rosie’s Place. Here, they help serve food they have grown.
The Food Project uses community-supported agriculture, or CSA. Local consumers buy a share of the farm’s harvest. Produce is distributed to shareholders at the farm. The Food Project’s CSA Farm Share program has 400 members. They offer vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Pickup locations are in Lincoln, Cambridge, Somerville, Arlington, and Jamaica Plain. Shareholders can even harvest their produce. They do this from designated plots at certain growing sites.
The Food Project’s impact extends beyond food production. It provides youth leadership opportunities. It inspires others to create change in their communities. Alumnus Evan’s journey began as a youth participant in 2014. He became a Crew Leader. Now he is the Greater Boston Community Program Manager. He uses his experience to drive impactful initiatives.
The Food Project supports the right to grow food. It installs raised-bed gardens. These are for home growers, community gardens, and schools. They provide resources and support to new gardeners.
From humble beginnings, The Food Project has grown into a nationally recognized organization. It addresses food security. It connects diverse communities. It empowers youth to become leaders. The Food Project envisions a world where everyone has access to fresh, local, healthy, affordable food.