Front Lawn Food: a food assistance program designed to empower local families to grow their own organic veggies. The program seeks to provide food assistance and education to community members.
In the spring of 2010, Greenagers youth, under the guidance of Greenagers staff and farmers from local Community Supported Agriculture farms, designed, installed, and helped to maintain ten, organic vegetable gardens at the homes of interested low-income or underserved Great Barrington residents. In 2011, Greenagers added another ten gardens to the roster; gardens were provided to WIC clients and to local families selected by lottery. In 2012, Greenagers added another 10, again partnering with WIC. Gardens are composed of three 3’ x 8’ raised beds constructed of locally harvested and milled wood. Examples of vegetables included are: peas, swiss chard, kale, lettuce, carrots, beets, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, and assorted herbs. Greenagers youth and community volunteers make monthly visits to each garden to assist with maintenance and harvesting and to talk with residents about the garden throughout the season to assist with maintenance and harvest and to answer any questions garden recipients may have.
More on our exciting collaboration with our local WIC chapter: WIC currently has some farm shares to distribute to its clients, but not nearly enough to go around. They are excited to have the opportunity to provide clients with another way to provide their families with local, organic food – grown right at home! WIC staff would like to see their farm share recipients move towards the ability to grow their own food – with Front Lawn Food, this goal can be realized.
This initiative received generous support this year from:
The Markham-Nathan Fund for Social Justice
Green Pastures Fund at Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
Greylock Federal Credit Union
Webster
Local Wood Works
Small Farms Rising