The Growing Places Garden Project (GPGP) of Clinton, uses volunteers to help build gardens and mentor people. Those of limited economic means can enjoy the harvest of vegetables they grow themselves. GPGP offers eligible garden recipients a two year program which teaches them to grow, harvest, use and store their fresh produce throughout the growing season, with the goal of ensuring that people have what they need to grow the garden in the long term. Sometimes even providing seeds, they are resources for the new gardeners as they answer questions and share tips through their newsletters.

Beyond the gardening cycle, they provide courses to promote nutrition, cooking skills and food budgeting for those with limited resources. GPGP uses the skills of experienced gardeners to address food insecurity issues by giving people the tools and skills they need to become self-sufficient, a perfect example of teaching rather than giving. To volunteer, visit www.growingplaces.org or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

The projects and programs of Waltham Fields Community Farm (WFCF) integrate hunger relief and education, while promoting the value of community farms via Community supported Agriculture (CSA). Their growing practices are designed to be both ecologically and economically sustainable and offer children and adults the opportunity to learn about food production as they work in the fields.

Educational offerings include workshops, public events and paid/unpaid job positions. By providing fresh produce to Greater Boston emergency food programs, operating a special farmer’s market for low-income Waltham residents and offering subsidized CSA shares, the farm directly aids in fresh food distribution to those most in need. In addition, they work with the public school system to distribute healthy food to students. For more information on how to participate in the WFCF mission, please visit www.communityfarms.org.

Gaining Ground in Concord offers its organic produce to Boston area food pantries and meal programs. They use people of all ages and skills to perform the vast majority of work in their gardens with volunteers logging more than 5000 hours a year. The organization encourages the giving of time, farming implements, and donations to keep their model of hunger relief through volunteerism going strong. The organization also encourages the use of their model to deliver free food to needy people in all communities. Visit www.gainingground.org to see their model in action.

Land’s Sake in Weston is an organization that brings the earth to the forefront of community consciousness, by offering education to students, teachers and families that connects them to the value of the land and the importance of treating it with respect.

While being a fully functional farm, they are especially focused on providing tours and work programs targeted to school curriculum. Families may pick their own organic produce, participate in a CSA, and purchase food and flowers at the farm stand. Produce to the tune of 20,000 pounds yearly is also donated to the Greater Boston Food Bank and the local chapter of the American Red Cross. By using ecologically-sound land management practices, Land’s Sake demonstrates how public space can be used by the community with more information available at www.landssake.org.

The Food Project of Lincoln uses the national model of engaging youth in personal and social change as they identify and transform the new generation of leaders. Since 1991, the Food Project has used sustainable agriculture to convey a personal connection to the food system and food justice.

Young people working at the Food Project are exposed to CSA programs, Farmer’s Markets, and hunger relief organizations and participate at all points of these distribution mechanisms. What they learn now, makes a positive difference in the future of our communities and they encourage everyone, not just youth to get involved on their website www.thefoodproject.org.