America's Grow-a-Row

Summer 2023 was my first season volunteering for Americas Grow a Row. I signed up to be a “Swat Team” crop picker/sorter for one morning per week, and quickly became hooked. I began to eagerly look forward to my weekly stints in the fields with fellow volunteers, picking huge quantities of a variety of vegetables for food banks, pantries, soup kitchens and Free Farm Market programs. The staff are dedicated, super knowledgeable and very welcoming. The work was manual and often muddy but always purposeful. I loved every minute and am looking forward to volunteering again this growing season.

This is an amazing charity that assists many people by giving them access to fresh fruit and vegetables. The atmosphere there is always one of camaraderie and we all enjoy giving our labor to allow them the opportunity of giving as much as possible by using volunteer labor. Staff are very aware of the role they play and use every opportunity to keep us informed as well as educating new volunteers as to the reason for the charity and what is accomplishes each year from inception to now.

I highly recommend that anyone who is interested in food security participate in this farm program.

I began volunteering with AGAR after I retired. I was looking for a way to give back to the community and was aware of the great work of AGAR. After spending a morning picking peppers, I was hooked! I now volunteer two days a week throughout most of the harvest season. I have made friends among the faithful regulars and love meeting new people each week. There is always a job for everyone who shows up regardless of age or skill level. The AGAR staff are friendly, well-informed, and well-organized. They make it easy to sign up and easy to volunteer. And I love that when we're done, they always let us know how much we picked and how many people will benefit. At the end of the day, when I'm tired and dirty, there's no better feeling than knowing I've enjoyed doing something that has made so many lives better!

I have been volunteering at America's Grow a Row for nearly 10 years. I've been blessed to have the opportunity to put AGAR's mission into action. I enjoy the rigger of harvesting, knowing that my efforts and the efforts of the many corporate teams and dedicated individual and family harvesters provide fruits and vegetables for free to those in need in NJ and surrounding states. AGAR addresses hunger directly by going to the food desert areas and giving fresh and healthy produce for free to those in need.

AGAR donates 2.5 million pounds, or 10 million servings, of farm fresh produce annually to food banks, soup kitchens, and food pantries in New Jersey, New York City, Philadelphia and eastern Pennsylvania, and, through the Mid-Atlantic Regional Cooperative, the greater northeast region from Maine to Virginia.

Since the beginning, when Chip Paillex founded AGAR, he has grown this nonprofit by hiring a dedicated and mission-focused staff, remaining fiscally responsible, being transparent and engaging companies and communities throughout the Mid-Atlantic through creative outreach.

Americas Grow A Row is a great organization that teaches students about the importance of working hard to provide food for those in need! It is an extremely organized nonprofit who cares about their volunteers! There are so many locations in New Jersey that it makes it easy for our school to help support them.

Our organization looks forward to volunteering at America's Grow-a-Row farm every year. Our approximately 200 employees who attend find the opportunity to be extremely rewarding as we are able to support those in our communities who are struggling with food insecurity, as well as it provides an engaging time to come together and meet team members face-to-face. The farm staff is well-organized, very personable and passionate about what they do, which shines through as they explain their mission. It's inspiring to be a part of such an important cause!

I began my volunteer efforts with AGAR this Summer. I harvested corn, turnips and cabbage. I also have assisted in several gleaning operations. The organization and staff are extremely organized and professional. The experience was amazing. The goal is to provide healthy food to those who cannot afford it or are unable to obtain it. Mission accomplished! I look forward to my continued involvement and helping spread the word to other potential volunteers.

As a corporate volunteer coordinator AGAR has been amazing at assisting our volunteer staff with scheduling, onsite training and always motivates our volunteers to give back. Always welcoming and helpful onsite AGAR always circles back on the meaning of their work in the community by sharing data and metrics of work completed by volunteer teams. This helps volunteers know their impact and feel empowered by their work and a day well spent on the farm.

Every year I look forward to the email notifications that precede a request to signup for any of the shifts to volunteer. It is always a wonderfully rewarding few hours of hard work and sweat that leaves me feeling very grateful that I can help. Having done it multiple times over many years, it is something that I intend to continue for as long as I can and Chip and the organization need volunteers to do the awesome work they do.
Way to go Grow-A-Row!!!!

I have volunteered several times at Americas Grow a Row picking vegetables. Each was a rewarding and educational experience. I found the staff to be welcoming, informative, and professional. The staff is passionate about the organization’s mission - to feed those in need – which was motivating and inspired me to volunteer again. If you are an individual or group that wants to donate time to help those in need this is a worthwhile endeavor. You’ll learn about the issues of food insecurity and how Grow A Row through volunteers is making a measurable difference in the community.

If you're looking for a volunteer experience where you'll be hands on, motivated and looking for more, Americas Grow a Row is for you. As a volunteer you want to know the work you do is helpful and makes a difference. At Grow a Row you'll walk away confident your time and energy was well spent. From seeing all of the crops you've harvested to learning how many people are going to be fed as a direct result of your work...you'll walk away encouraged and ready to go back again.
I've had the added joy of volunteering at a local Food Pantry where I get to see the Grow a Row produce getting distributed. What an awesome full circle experience. From field, to food pantry, to family. You can know the work you do with America's Grow a Row will not go wasted and will truly be appreciated!

While working with another non-profit, someone mentioned AGAR and the work they were doing around food insecurity. With the combined helping people with food insecurity, my love of gardening and the outdoors, AGAR seemed like a good fit, but until you work with a non-profit team you don't really know.
From my first interaction, signing up online for an event, to ongoing participation everyone was friendly, helpful, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and truly wanted to give back to their local community and beyond.
Having an easy method to sign up online for events was excellent. Confirmation email with directions and a reminder being sent was exceptionally helpful. You could tell everyone was thrilled to be a part of this organization. AGAR also reaches out to the local university (Rutgers) to utilize exceptionally talented up and coming students to provide expertise in improving AGAR's processes for streamlining process, making the process easy for volunteers and automation of process and data. AGAR continuously looks to the future with innovation and process improvement, is a friendly and welcoming environment to volunteer and provides much needed foot security to our local community and beyond.

WOW, America’s Grow A Row, what an amazing organization!! I have had the privilege of helping them out in the fields for the last 2 years. It has been THE most rewarding experience! Everyone who works or volunteers here plays a special and incremental part. So much care is taken planting and caring for the plants. Then, as harvest time approaches, a myriad of people arrive and work side-by-side as a team to gather the fruits of the farmers labor. Then, all of the beautiful produce gets packed up and brought to food pantries and free farm markets so that families that are struggling can have the benefit of fresh, nutritious foods for their families. Plus, members of the team, go out and meet with various groups to teach nutrition and show ways to use the vegetables in various recipes. Working with grow a row is a win -win situation for everyone. The leaders are a fantastic group. They are fun and so dedicated! And, despite the summers sweltering heat, they are leading groups in the fields, sometimes twice a day when corn is ready to harvest! The amount of people that have benefited from this organization is incredible. I am extremely proud to be a part of this team and thank them for what they do.

My wife and I have volunteered for America’s Grow-a-Row for several years. We’ve helped harvest corn, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, zucchini, peppers, and apples. We have thinned peaches, gleaned fruit, and helped repackage food donated by partnering farms. Along the way, we have worked next to people from all walks of life and from many different types of organizations… all who share the goal of helping others. Volunteering for America’s Grow-a-Row is a great team and community building exercise and we have seen both civic and corporate groups dig in and help.
Harvesting fruits and vegetables happens in a variety of weather conditions but it is always hugely emotionally rewarding. At the end of each volunteer session, the AGAR team always reminds volunteers of just how many pounds and servings of food the group harvested that day. The direct impact really hits home when presented to you this way.
It has been a real gift to be able to help so many food insecure neighbors. Sadly, this is an ever-growing problem. AGAR is a highly efficient/mission driven organization that is extremely effective in contributing so much needed fresh produce. Please volunteer if you can and or donate. Their mission of addressing food insecurity is critical to bettering the lives of our fellow citizens in need.

About 9 years ago, I signed up for a work team-building event that was being done at America’s Grow a Row (AGAR). Hearing from Chip about their mission to provide as much free fresh, healthy produce to those in need using primarily volunteer labor was very inspiring. I have continued volunteering each year at AGAR since then.

Participation in this program is hard work but so rewarding and as a bonus, you also get to learn a lot about the produce you are reaping from the friendly and knowledgeable staff who are very appreciative of the work the volunteers do.

This is an excellent program in both concept and execution that makes a huge impact in the communities they serve as they strive to address food insecurity. I am blessed to be a part of their mission to positively impact lives.

America's Grow a Row is a truly wonderful organization that helps thousands of people who are struggling with food insecurity. Their hard work allows them to donate thousands of pounds of fresh produce to those in need. I love volunteering there ...the AGAR employees are always so welcoming, friendly, dedicated, and appreciative- I enjoy every minute of it. If able, I highly recommend signing up for a volunteering time slot - it is a very gratifying experience!

I provide volunteer and financial support to Americas Grow a Row because of its unique community mission: harvest, glean and deliver produce to families and individuals who are faced with hunger and food insecurity. In addition to the operation and management of farm operations that grow diverse crops of produce, Chip and his dedicated team do a fantastic job in the coordination and supervision of thousands of volunteers for community harvest events and numerous gleaning activities. I especially enjoy volunteering for the community harvest events. In addition to interacting with other volunteers, it gives me the opportunity to learn about the produce that I am harvesting, and seeing the results at the end of our 2 to 3 hour harvest session: numerous bins of fresh produce ready for delivery to food banks and other community organizations.

This was my first year volunteering at Grow a Row, and the experience could not have been more rewarding. The people I met there were fantastic, the staff believes very deeply in what they are doing at grow a row and work harder than anyone.

When you volunteer your time for a cause you always wonder what the impact is to what you are doing. With Grow a Row is was so tangible. Picking produce is physically hard work, the conditions are not always ideal (it can be hot, cold, humid) yet I couldn't wait to go back. I attribute this to the staff and what we were able to accomplish.

It has been an extremely rewarding experience to volunteer with Americas Grow a Row. I especially like to hear how much the group harvested along with the number of healthy servicing our labor has provided.

I started volunteering with Americas Grow a Row about 6 years ago. Started with the YMCA group in Hunterdon country, then signed up for the community harvest events, then became part of the SWOT team (harvesting to fill free farm market orders), and most recently as a fill-in gleaner from ShopRite in Clinton to Flemington Food Pantry. There are many ways to get involved and I look forward to continuing my volunteer efforts with AGAR!

I am part of the gleaning team at AGAR. I really enjoy helping in this way. I go the same time, same day every week. I pick up produce that would otherwise go to waste at supermarkets and take it to food banks that can get it those in need. I also cover for my fellow gleaners when they cannot make their runs. Fresh produce is scarce at most food banks, so they really appreciate it. It is a great way to help those less fortunate and to decrease the amount of food wasted at the same time.

This organization grows, gleans and delivers fresh produce at no cost to the food insecure. Recognized nationally for their efforts, we are fortunate to have them located in Hunterdon County and benefit from their community-minded philosophy. Everyone I have worked with has had a collaborative spirit and embraced a collective engagement approach in support of those in need. Shauna Alvarez – executive chef and programming lead -- did an amazing job in delivering and demonstrating easy recipes for an educational series that provided information on nutritional value while making it practical for busy family life. She was able to provide helpful steps in prepping foods and shared creativity in making use of what foods are available to you. Highly recommend this organization.

Americas Grow a Row is an amazing organization. They not only provide fresh produce for those in need, they also teach people how to prepare fresh food for their families. Americas Grow a Row employees are dedicated to their community. My personal experience is with Shauna Alvarez, Executive Chef and Program Lead at Americas Grow a Row. She generously gives my students her time every year. I run the Hunterdon County Biomedical Sciences Academy and my freshman students make educational videos as part of their interaction with Hunterdon County Partnership for Health. Ms. Alvarez views all the videos with the students and gives them feedback. She ensures accuracy for all videos that pertain to nutrition. She has been an invaluable resource for the Academy.

America's Grow a Row provides the Produce Prescription Program at Hunterdon Medical Center fresh fruits and vegetables every year. Their involvement in the Produce Prescription Program has had such a positive impact on our participants by providing access to farm grown, high-quality produce. The staff at AGAR are kind, and always a great help. Collaborating with Chef Shauna on new programming ideas for our program has been a great experience.

I started my volunteer experience, as a senior citizen, with AGAR in 2020 picking produce on their two farms. The AGAR team was very friendly, energetic, helpful and provided specific information to work the fields safely and efficiently. They were also sensitive to accommodate individual requests since the ages of the volunteers varied significantly as well as dealing with challenging summer weather conditions. At the beginning of each of the field sessions I attended, an AGAR member would give a talk on how the non-profit evolved and progressed to what it is today; a professionally run farming operation the provides some of the most basic needs of fresh produce to many needing individuals.
In 2021 I shifted my support to their food bank operation. You know it’s like the normal progression how a MLB player can start a career in the outfield and end it playing 1st base? I’ve been on a regular weekly schedule of produce pick-ups from the Washington Shop Rite and delivering to Flemington distribution sites. There appear to be enough volunteers available to accommodate various levels of commitment.
Over two years I have met many AGAR employees and volunteers that are dedicated to assisting the needs of less fortunate people. It definitely helped restore my belief in the true kindness that exists in people that mostly go unnoticed. The harvesting sessions gave me an appreciation how I view the produce department now. Looking forward to continue supporting an organization that I have 100% confidence is providing some level of relief to a situation that exists more widely than I was aware.

I've volunteered multiple times for Americas Grow a Row. It's easy to just cut a check to an organization, which I have done as well to AGAR, but to do something that has a direct impact on many people's lives is fantastic and even more rewarding. The volunteer opportunities are always very organized and extremely productive. Will definitely be doing it again next spring/summer and will be bringing family/friends.

Americas Grow A Row is so connected to our community & the people who need help. They are always looking for innovative ways to help people eat healthier & to bring more produce to those who can’t afford it. They also engage youth in the community to volunteer on the farm & educate about food insecurity & how each of us can help. The youth walk away with an appreciation of our planet, where their food comes from & why we should be good stewards of the earth. They also are encouraged to try new veggies & fruit & why it’s important for our health to eat more produce. Such a well run organization by passionate people who are doing so much good!

Americas Grow a Row partnered with The Hunterdon County Partnership for Health's Mental Health Action team in 2021 on a program called Hunterdon Healthy Harvest. The COIVD pandemic has had a negative impact on the emotional health of many, but young adults seem to be particularly at risk for depression and anxiety. Hunterdon Healthy Harvest offered an opportunity for this age group to help themselves and others. We worked with Americas Grow a Row to provide a harvest related mindfulness experience prior to going into the fields. They were supportive of our concept and went above and beyond to get this first time event off the ground. We could not have had better or a more supportive collaborator!

I have volunteered to harvest vegetables many times at America’s Grow A Row over the past few years, sometimes joining a community harvest day and sometimes bringing a Girl Scout troop or a school group. It has always been a great experience! It can be hard, tiring work, but it is always gratifying, especially when the amount of pounds of produce harvested and the number of vegetable servings is calculated at the end of each harvest. It makes one appreciate the hard work that farmers do on a daily basis! It is so great to work together with members of the community to help our neighbors get access to nutritious food.

I volunteer with Grow a Row in my county and it is a fantastic organization that helps so many members of our community!

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Grow a Row is a wonderful nonprofit. I started last year volunteering to pick produce once a week at their farms in Hunterdon County. I knew of their work and I wanted to do something to give back to the community. I loved driving to the farm, gathering for the instructions of the morning and going into the fields to pick. The staff at Grow a Row are very professional and organized and welcoming. They show you the right way to twist an eggplant from the stem. And you soon learn that as you get closer to the plants you will find many more tucked under the leaves that you could easily have missed ... reminding you to take your time. I look forward to going back again in the Spring.

I had a great volunteer experience with Grow-a-Row. I could tell that they are very dedicated to what they do and had alot of passion for feeding those in need. Volunteering was not only fulfilling but FUN!

I volunteered with grow a row as a work project and I had such a wonderful experience I decided to extend my time and volunteer long after our project was complete. Grow a row has helped me be able to give back to the community. They are more than an organization, they are a family and they care about so many! Everyone I met at grow a row was wonderful. I can’t wait to volunteer again this year.

I started volunteering with America’s Grow a Row this summer. I am a SWAT team member. I am grateful for how organized and efficient this farm team is and all they do to offer fresh produce to families in need. This has been a rewarding experience albeit physically demanding at times. The leaders motivate us and encourage us while they work side by side with the group.
They have paid particular attention to Covid-19 restrictions and have kept us all safe.
I would highly encourage everyone that is able to get involved with this terrific organization!

Having retired a little over a year ago from my job as an elementary school counselor, I have been looking for the "right" kind of organization to volunteer with.  As a social worker, I found I was not finished with my need to "give" to individuals and the community after 45+ years of doing so as a professional. When I saw an article in the (very) local newspaper on America's Grow-a-Row and looked into the website, I knew I had found something special. The backstory of the organization was what impressed me.  A man who had a bit of extra produce from his vegetable plot, giving it to the local food bank and then slowly growing a very successful non-profit over the next 18 years was something I wanted to be involved with.  I started volunteering this summer, picking corn, cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes and eggplant. Most people do not realize what the work is like to get those tomatoes or corn they buy on their plates for dinner.  It has been a very humbling experience, working in the fields in rain and heat and mud, bending and squatting to pick the vegetables and carrying the full boxes to a central point in the field. I know now that it is good, hard, rewarding work that farmers do to provide produce for people. I also started bringing the produce to food banks, because I wanted to see the people face-to-face and hand them the bag of vegetables and fruit myself.  I feel very honored to be  part of a group that helps with getting food to those who have little or no access to fresh produce in NJ, NY and PA, especially now, when it is so needed.  I'm hooked! 

One of the most well organized organizations I've ever been involved with. They have a clear vision and the personnel and means to carry it out on a daily basis. A true joy to be a part of!

Truly a positive experience to not only offer a financial contribution but to see first hand how many lives this effort has a positive impact on.

I attended an event in September 2018 that gave our volunteer group the opportunity to harvest apples and different types of vegetables. The staff was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic and provided insight into how our harvest would benefit the community and provide nourishment to local foodbanks and recipients. The Pittstown location is scenic and created an outdoor experience that many would appreciate. I would highly recommend this to any person or group looking for an opportunity to give back and make a difference.

AGAR is always fun to work at. They provide all details well in advance and everything is well executed. You can work as individual volunteer as well as a team. They accommodate all sizes. I highly recommend AGAR.
Keep up the great work AGAR!

I've volunteered many times with Grow a Row over the past few years. I was introduced to them through our volunteer program at work and was so impressed with the great and much needed work that they do that I introduced them to my church and youth groups who have also now had the opportunity to support this great cause! It is so fulfilling to actually see the impact that a small group of people can have on so many others. Providing fresh fruits and vegetables to those who have limited access resonates with all of us. Being able to support an organization that is doing something about it is very meaningful, and very rewarding! Knowing that what they are doing is helping people within our own communities and the communities around us also makes this a more personal experience. You know that what they do, and by extension what we do to support them, is really making an impact on the quality of people’s lives.

America's Grow a Row does an amazing job of growing food for those less fortunate or who live in food deserts or are food insecure. They grow fresh produce on their farms in NJ and provide them to local food banks and free farmers markets.

My company has set up a few volunteer events there. Last year, 12 of us picked 17,000 lbs of cucumber and zucchini. This year 30 of us picked 25,000 lbs of corn. You know everything you pick will help people who may not have access to fresh food, will in fact get fresh food.

I was so taken by their mission that we helped secure a corporate donation for America's Grow a Row. An amazing organization doing amazing work!

I have been involved with Americas Grow a Row for about ten years both individually and as the Director of Community and Civic Engagement at the Pingry School. The students at Pingry are actively involved with AGAR. Each year, on our annual Community Service Day, AGAR provides the students and faculty with a wonderful day in the fields! In addition, Americas Grow a Row has led numerous educational workshops both on campus and at the farm which the students find enjoyable and very informative about hunger in New Jersey. Pingry is delighted to partner with Americas Grow a Row and our relationship has been informative about food insecurity in New Jersey. Shelley Hartz, Director of Community and Civic Engagement, Pingry School

A great cause and great staff. AGAR was well organized and made our Company volunteer effort a success. Leadership was fantastic and "hands on" in the fields. The story and impact to the world is amazing!!!

We are a tough group to schedule, but every year, AGAR fits us into their calendar. This event for us to harvest vegetables not only is a great team-building session for us, but it serves our local community so much! We are located near areas that AGAR directly impacts with their fruits and vegetables, so it's fantastic to see the impact directly. The staff is always very organized and educates our group exactly where the harvest goes. Seton Hall Athletics and the student-athletes will continue to volunteer with AGAR for years to come.

America's Grow A Row has been amazing in helping my environmental science students obtain their service learning hours as part of my course requirement. The staff is so easy to work with, and the mission of the organization is one that is so important to our region.

For the last three years, I've led volunteer events on behalf of my company with groups ranging from 12-30 individuals. Each time, we've all come away thoroughly impressed by the operation as well as those who led us through the morning's work. But most impressive is the scope of the mission, its impact and the phenomenal progress achieved in just a few short years. Bravo to Chip and all the rest for all their hard work and selfless contribution to such a worthy mission!

“ There is nothing more fulfilling than taking in farm-fresh air, surrounded by nature’s bounty of apple trees with scarlet and green apples and your friends and you experience this sense of gratefulness that you can share a wee bit of your blessings on the needy. That was the moment that we were treated to by the apple gleaning hosted by Grow-a-Row and its enthusiastic coordinator, Jaqui Witte. Jaquii’s astute and seamless organization of volunteer teams and her spirited cheer-leading made the volunteers feel complete and inspired to contribute. She was a patient leader and a teacher and yes, we did indeed bring an apple to her at the end of our gleaning. Well done”!

Ash Rajan, Janney Montgomery Scott 973-718-1275

I referred Americas Grow a Row to my firm becasue I voluteered a few years ago with a previous employer and thought this was an amazing organization that gives back to the community in so many ways. I know our firm will be back again next year to help bring in the harvest. Thank you Chip and to everyone that runs this organization.

On September 17th, a group of 5 from our office volunteered for the first time apple gleaning for Americas Grow a Row. We were truly in awe hearing the story behind Americas Grow a Row. It really motivated us to do our very best to glean the apples for all of those less fortunate that do not have access to fresh produce. We spent 2 hours in the orchards sorting through and rescuing all the apples that were in good condtion and would be donated to nearby food pantries. By the end our session, my office in addition to 3 other groups had rescued 3600 lbs of apples which equates to 14,000 servings!! It was an amazing experience and we felt very accomplished with our efforts. We would definitely reccommend this organization to others and we are headed back on Oct 7th for a second round of gleaning to support Americas Grow a Row!

The staff at Grow-a-row make it easy and pleasant to schedule a volunteer event (for small and large groups) and they even manage to make it fun when you are there working! We love them! Hardworking and super friendly people. And for an awesome cause too!

I've been volunteering with Americas Grow a Row for four years involving growing and harvesting fresh produce for people in need in multiple states. 100% of the produce is donated. The staff is very friendly, appreciative and encouraging. I appreciate the opportunity to give back!

The Finnertys have been involved with Grow a Row for the past 5 years because we are so impressed with their dedication to feeding the hungry while minimizing their administrative costa. Grow a Row is the most responsible non profit organization that we have ever worked with and we will continue to support them always. They are vital to our New Jersey community.

I've been volunteering with Grow-a-Row for several years and it is always a rewarding experience. Whether I am harvesting crops, cleaning up the fields, or participating at a free farm market, the work translates into healthy food for my community members in need. All of the produce that is grown on their 200+ acre farms is donated to soup kitchens or directly to members of the community who would otherwise not have access to healthy food, or even any food at all. I enjoy making a difference in my own community and AGAR gives me a opportunity to do just that!

Thank you for all your efforts and for helping the people in need. My son and I are very happy to be a part of this great cause. And we have fun harvesting crops with your enthusiastic and compassionate team and people volunteering. Americas Grow a Row is a wonderful non-profit organization! We wish you continued success in helping people and we will continue to support the mission.

- Chen's family

My family has volunteered with AGAR numerous times over the years. Each experience has been well organized and rewarding! Most recently, my teenage son volunteered as a counselor over the summer. He loved working with kids of all ages gleaning produce, making a healthy snack, and sending them home with fruits and veggies for their families to enjoy. It was such a positive experience that he didn't even complain about the HOT temperatures and he can't wait to do it again next summer. AGAR is a wonderful organization that impacts communities near and far in so many ways!

I feel giving AGAR 5 stars is the least I can do to support the very important work they do in our inner city communities. I have been affiliated with them for 2 years. It's rare to experience so much heart in their commitment to get fresh produce to our communities that need it the most. The corporate staff work tirelessly with volunteers to make this happen, and they achieve this with a compassionate kind approach. I will continue to support their mission, because it is my personal mission aw well.

Thank you for your effort and for helping so many families. Happy to be a part of this great cause. Keep it up!

I helped a young boy harvest, husk and eat an ear of corn in the field He will never have to ask why they call it sweet corn after that experience. Grow-a-Row operates a 200+ acre produce farm where 100% of the harvest is shared with those in need at no cost. Chip Paillex and his dedicated team work with a vast array of volunteers who harvest and deliver food across the area to free farmers markets, food pantries or community kitchens. During the winter they shift their focus to classroom education and gleaning produce from grocery stores. In retirement I focus on not-for-profit organizations (mostly community gardens and urban farms) who help address childhood obesity in NJ food deserts. Grow-a-Row is one of the best models I’ve seen in NJ. Please support them in any way you can.

The food drop-off in East Orange allowed us to experience the excitement of the people, especially the children, who were so excited to get the beautiful vegetables and fruit from the fields. In addition, we have previously enjoyed harvesting produce, and showing my children what working on a farm would be like.

I have been fortunate to volunteer in a variety of capacities at America’s Grow-a-Row - planting, harvesting and delivering produce to a Free Farm Market. I am so impressed with their operation, the people that work there and how much they are able to achieve. For a relatively small, local/regional charity I believe they had over 9,000 volunteers last year. That says something that so many people are willing to donate their time to help. I hope they continue to succeed and grow.

I volunteered at Grow-a-Row over the summer, in their Kids' Day program. I must say, it was an amazing experience. The staff and other volunteers were all so very wonderful, and the mission of the program is so inspiring. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I recommend that everyone at least donate to, if not volunteer for, this wonderful non-profit

I cannot say enough good things about Grow-A-Row! The idea of a charity farm is something revolutionary. The staff members are the most caring, down-to-earth people around. Grow-A-Row creates an opportunity for volunteers who are young and old, local and widespread to come together over a common goal... the need to provide fresh produce to those whom it is not accessible to! 1.2 million pounds of produce is astonishing! I am lucky enough to live local and volunteer during every community day from the early months of spring plantings season to the gleaning season of fall and will continue to support Grow-A-Row in every facet I can!

In our lifetime we don't always come across people who make significant impacts on our lives. However, at Americas Grow a Row, impacting lives is protocol. Chip Paillex, president and founder, has created an environment rarely encountered. As a volunteer, I have witnessed small miracles, moments of grace, and true acts of altruism.

"You have not lived a perfect day unless you have done something for someone who cannot repay you." Ruth Smeltzer

Live a perfect day with the team from Americas Grow a Row.

Jessica Silvestri

Americas Grow a Row is an awesome place filled with awesome people. The work is always fun and you can be sure the food is going to people in need. Everyone always has a great time and many come back with friends/family.

We look forward to our visit from America's Grow a Row every year. They have incredibly talented and passionate staff that bring fun and enlightening lessons into the classroom for our students.

This year I had an opportunity to attend their Farm to Fork Gala. Wow! What a night! Not only was the venue beautifully decorated, but the variety of wines and farm fresh appetizers were fantastic. We're looking forward to being able to support this amazing organization again next year!

From volunteering as a child to being lucky enough to intern as a sophomore in college, America's Grow-a-Row (AGAR) has played an important role in my life as well as the life of thousands of others. As a volunteer and as an intern I was always told I would be doing work in the field, but it never felt like that. To me and to many that I have spoken to the "work" you do at AGAR is more like an opportunity. It is an opportunity to learn something new, it is an opportunity get outdoors, it is an opportunity to meet new people but most of all, it is an opportunity to help others. It is this opportunity to help others that makes America's Grow-a-Row stand out from the rest. During my internship experience I saw multiple corporate groups work until the very last second to finish the last sweet potato row or harvest a final row of zucchini just to get a few hundred more pounds of produce to our friends in other communities.

Behind all of this is a team that is truly dedicated to America's Grow-a-Row mission to positively impact as many lives as possible through a volunteer effort of planting, picking, rescuing, and delivering free fresh produce. From educating children in the classroom about the benefits of healthy eating to setting up emergency gleaning efforts, AGAR's staff truly does care about helping as many people in as many communities as possible.

I love this organization and encourage as many people as possible to get involved and join in the mission and success of America's Grow-a-Row!

Having volunteered with AGAR for a season, how vested they are stands out. The staff believes in their cause. They are also forward-thinking and flexible, unafraid to look at what did or did not work the season before. This I feel lends to their success.

America’s Grow-a-Row practices a full circle approach to the hunger crisis. They provide healthy recipes and teach food preparation. AGAR also educates all ages about agriculture and nutrition. They grow produce and rescue it. Truly a hand-UP, not a hand-out.

As if that weren’t enough, AGAR does not receive any State or Government funding! If you haven’t volunteered, you’re missing out on a whole lot of outdoor fun! Get out of your cubicle and into the farm. Go ‘Grow Something Good’!

I first learned of America’s-Grow-A-Row (AGAR) through a nutrition class at Montclair State University. I made it out to the farm at my earliest opportunity with my three young children, who jumped right in to help pick 9,000 lbs. of corn one sweltering August afternoon two summers ago. This summer my teenage son and I volunteered during a week-long Kids Day Camp, which hosted young children (from food desserts) to the life on a real working farm through tours of zucchini and corn fields, and harvesting nectarines, donut peaches, and bags of green beans. They made delicious peach, zucchini, and cucumber salads that they ate up before visiting a “trick-or-treat” style farmer’s market to fill their bags to the brim with freshly harvests consisting of corn, zucchinis, peppers, and cucumbers.

What a great sight it was to witness young children pick and take their first bite of tree ripened peach, transformed by the taste and the whole experience. Equally satisfying was witnessing my teenage son completely engaged as a counselor then shifting to help harvest in the field. Sweaty, dirty and tired, yet he found his day at the farm satisfyingly fulfilling.

AGAR is a beacon of hope in countless lives. We are so fortunate to have you in our community. And, thank you, AGAR, for the opportunity to be a part of your amazing mission!

Where to start...

My family and I have been involved with AGAR for the past few years, and will continue for years to come. Chip and the crew are not only inspirational people, but are determined to change the lives of so many communities in need of fresh, healthy produce.

If you're of the volunteering spirit, I dare you to find a better way to donate your "extra" time. Once you help at one of the free farmers markets, and see the recipients faces/ gratitude for what AGAR does for their families/ communities, you'll be hooked.

America's Grow A Row has inspired me and my family in so many ways! As volunteers and donors we have experienced the gratification of working in the field, delivering produce to NJ residents, performing special projects and participating in celebratory events which highlight the incredible impact AGAR has had on our immediate community and beyond. The team is so passionate about their mission and it shows in the details. From hosting inner city children on the farm to teaching folks them how to prepare the food they've harvested - AGAR is truly changing the way people view and engage with food. It's incredibly powerful!

Grow a Row is an amazing organization, not only do they do great things for the community but they also make it super easy for volunteers to get involved in their wonderful work. Every volunteer experience with them is a good one. The staff is very friendly, responsive and well organized. When you show up for a volunteer event you are guaranteed an activity that is well worth your time. Everyone at Grow a Row is so passionate about what they do and it shows! A truly great organization.

I cannot say enough great things about America’s Grow-a-Row!! Every single staff member loves what they do, and are innovative and full of energy! They put intense care and attention towards making sure that volunteers and recipients know how much they care and appreciate them! Having been an intern at America’s Grow-a-Row for several months now, I have been able to work in many different aspects of the organization! It has been truly amazing to help with after-school cooking sessions in Jersey City, and then get to see some of those same children at the Kids Farm Days and Free Farm Markets! It has been an honor to be able to volunteer my time with such an exceptional organization, and I can’t wait to see how much more America’s Grow-a-Row expands over the next few years!

I've been volunteering with America's Grow a Row for more than 5 years. Planting and harvesting at the farms, delivering to the free farm markets and helping with year round gleaning. The atmosphere that Chip and his team create makes you want to keep coming back to volunteer again and again. It's an amazing thing to join a group of people for a few hours and pick thousands of pounds of fresh produce knowing it's headed to the tables of grateful recipients. The idea that people deserve access to healthy food seems so simple but yet so many are not given that opportunity. AGAR is up for the challenge. They've already made great strides and I can't wait to see what the future holds for them. I'm very proud to be part of this incredible organization.

America's Grow-A-Row is a wonderful organization! We love volunteering with them and they truly provide a rewarding volunteer experience. Their staff is always organized, friendly and grateful for our efforts and it is amazing to play even a small part in their incredible mission. The impact they are making in the community on so many different levels is truly inspiring!

America's Grow a Row is inspirational. I have only recently become involved with the organization, yet I have become immersed in a culture that fosters a greater good for the greater community. The nonprofit nobly helps people have access to farm fresh produce who would not otherwise. I have worked with community harvests, the Kids Farm Days, gleaning from ShopRIte, and will work with the Free Farm Markets and start a program at my school to support the nonprofit. The interactive environment enables people -- particularly ones from food deserts or areas of food insecurity such as Newark -- to learn about where their produce comes from and how to make healthier choices in their eating habits. The people in the organization have such spirit in their philanthropic mission. I have been treated like a valuable resource in the organization and have therefore promoted AGAR to my friends and family. I cannot wait to volunteer more with AGAR, as the organization's remarkable growth is a sign of its positive reception in both the agricultural and greater community.

Where does one begin when attempting to do justice for an organization as stellar as America's Grow a Row? Our family has been dedicated to working with AGAR practically from the beginning. We have watched Chip and his team create an organization that does so much good for so many. AGAR isn't only feeding people physically, but emotionally, spiritually, academically, and relationally as well. Every time we step foot on the farm or at an event or at an offsite farm market, we feel the spirit of what AGAR is about: the unconditional desire to help others. It has been and continues to be an honor to volunteer for and support AGAR.

Chip Pailex and his team are truly exceptional and caring human beings! I have volunteered with Grow a Row since 2010 and have been so impressed with their mission to bring healthy fruits and vegetables to inner cities in New Jersey. I find Grow a Row to be a very organized and efficient organization, and yet run by incredibly humble staff. It has been amazing to watch the organization just blossom and evolve over the years, as well as its expanding ability to serve and educate those in need. As a mom, I love that our entire family can volunteer at the farm together, whether it's planting seeds or gleaning produce. We always leave the farm feeling very grateful and a part of something worthwhile!

America's Grow a Row is a dedicated organization that grows more than vegetables for those in need, I have seen it grow people. This organization gives to those in need and gives back to those that give. It is an organization where families serve together, where I am fortunate to be able to have my children experience the benefits of giving along with the education for themselves on the benefits of being closely connected to our food source and educating them on healthy choices. So much is gained from having these children with diverse backgrounds share in the experience of picking food for others together. In an era where obesity, heart disease, and diabetes are rampant, AGAR is a beacon for us all to be challenged to eat better and show the next generation how. AGAR is dedicated to the communities it serves in delivering vegetables to food deserts for improving the lives of those in need, to the education it provides to everyone who touches the organization. Thanks to the leadership and vision of Founder and President, Chip Paillex, AGAR will be providing healthy, fresh produce to our neighbors in need for a very long time!

Extremely well run, true to mission, wonderful presence within the community. Been involved for approximately 10 years. Great to see their growth and success.

My family and I have been volunteers for America's Grow-A-Row since 2005. There are so many wonderful things about this organization—it is one of the few where families can volunteer together. I think back to the first night we picked corn in the sweltering heat, with dirt all over us, so amazed that our group had picked over 7000 pounds of corn in two hours and it would make it to those in need the very next day! It was a wonderful, yet humbling experience. I know my daughters looked at the world a little differently after that experience…We have been blessed to see AGAR grow over the years and touch so many lives…My wife wanted to get more involved so she has been the Gleaning Coordinator for a local grocery store since 2008. It was such a simple yet powerful idea—think of all the "not quite for retail" produce that gets thrown out each day in grocery stores. We have volunteers who pick up fresh produce on a daily basis that might not look good in a fruit bowl, but would make an excellent apple pie or tomato sauce. When she first started, the employees of the store told her how happy they were that the fruits and vegetables were not going to waste. To be able to provide fresh produce to those who cannot afford it or don't have easy access to it, is a wonderful feeling.

I have picked up literally carloads of fresh produce to deliver to urban farm markets and/or to the Community Soup Kitchen in Morristown. The kindness and concern of the people supplying the food to be loaded into my car is matched only by the incredible volume of what is being given and the freshness of the produce. To arrive at an urban farm market and deliver huge burlap bags of corn so fresh it smells like "GREEN! SUMMER!", crates of squash, plums, tomatoes ...it fills you with a feeling of all that is right in the world. No preservatives. No cans. No chemical ingredients. Just farm fresh food, brought to you by the people of Americas Grow A Row. With love and respect and good wishes. God! I love these people!

I have had the outstandingprivilege of working with almost every person from this organization. These are dedicated and genuine people. They have inspired me and the teams that I have brought from The Cheesecake Factory. Each of us has left the farm spreading the good word and the positivity around America's Grow A Row. Nothing beats giving back and this group of ladies and gentlemen facilitate an amazing chance for each individual and each group to reap the amazing benefit of charity work. We will always return to support this great cause.

I have volunteered with AGAR a few times, harvesting crops at their farms. Helping them to get fresh produce to those whose needs weren't being met in an important part of healthy nutrition. I’m passionate about good nutrition for better health and it’s wonderful to see an organization address this unmet need successfully. AGAR is a well-run non-profit; the staff is energetic, informative and fun to partner with. Each experience is more rewarding and I walk away feeling I've made a very real impact helping others.

I have served on the boards of several non profit organizations over my years in business. I can honestly say that Americas Grow A Row is the best run non profit I and my husband have ever encountered. The organization is run with discipline and efficiency as well as with heart. The workings of this organization are totally transparent and decisions are made with integrity. Fund raising and grant seeking are accomplished "the Grow A Row way" which is always fact based and respectful of the many supporters and volunteers. This organization not only grows, harvests, gleans and gives away fresh produce to those in need, but also educates children and families about the benefits of eating healthy food. And much of this work is done with thousands of volunteers. This is a great nonprofit!

I have volunteered with America's Grow a Row on multiple occasions -- planting and harvesting at their farms, helping to distribute produce at their free farm markets, and participating in numerous social fundraising events. Each and every experience with AGAR has been overwhelmingly positive and rewarding. AGAR's mission and focus is consistently clear and every time I have volunteered with them, I have always felt I was helping them serve their purpose.

I am co-chair of the grants committee of a woman's philanthropic organization called Impact New Jersey 100. We awarded American Grow A Row and the Community Soup Kitchen of Morristown a $100,000 grant to collaborate in feeding those in need. We could not be more proud of our selection. They do a superb job of gathering the community to plant and harvest the vegetables and to creatively distribute to those in the the community. Thank you for this opportunity to applaud their efforts

TeamWalker Loves Chip and the good people at Grow-a-Row. Every Saturday morning volunteers drive from the Country in Western New Jersey to the Inner City in Jersey City, New Jersey to kindly help us hand out FREE Fresh Produce to the Community. We serve over two hundred people every Saturday. I have pics wish could post.

Thank You to Everyone at Grow-a-Row!!!!!!!!!

I believe that freshly picked fruits and vegetables are foods that everyone should have access to, no matter where you live or how much money you have. The fact that America's Grow-a-Row delivers them to food pantries and free farmers markets and offers them at no cost is amazing! So many people are benefitting from this organization. I just feel like I'm overflowing with joy whenever I help pick and distribute the produce.

We've had the true pleasure of supporting America's Grow-a-Row since nearly inception. The passion, commitment and dedication of the staff to help address the plight of hunger in New Jersey has not gone unnoticed. Each year they strengthen their programs and grow their capacity to do more. A financial investment is an investment in the long-term success of America's Grow-a-Row. This coupled with an investment of time and talent will help aid in fighting the battle against poverty and hunger.

America's Grow-a-Row never stops giving back! I've seen volunteers, recipients, and staff members all gain so much from the work that is being done and the experiences that are being shared. There is truly a sense of community here that I have yet to witness anywhere else. The Grow-a-Row family like no other and they have planted the roots of their mission deep throughout NJ!

This year our market was off the chain. We had cooking classes with the fresh veggies from the farm. There also was a zumba class teaching healthy living. We served 145 families this year with the veggies from America's grow a row. Thanks Leena and Chip great job keep on what you are doing for the community.

Our group was invited this summer of 2014 and what an AWESOME time. Thank you "Grow a Row" and may God continue to bless you for blessing us so much!!!!!!!!!
Our children received an opportunity that they never would have been accessible to. HIP!HIP! HOORAY! goes to Mr. Chip and Ms. Leena!!!!
Ms. Maria and the children of Gilmore Christian Academy in Paterson, NJ

As a local community member, I have seen the tremendous growth of America's Grow a Row. I became involved locally with my family, and now I have partnered with them to bring over 50 student-athletes from Seton Hall University to support their cause. Each year we bring our students to the fields to pick vegetables that will end up on the tables of the people in the communities next to our campus. Additionally, a former Seton Hall Legend from the basketball court, Jerry Walker has partnered with Chip to bring kids from the inner city to experience the farm and learn about healthy eating.

My family and I have volunteered with America's Grow A Row in the fields and providing professional advice for providing access to and water for one of their farming sites.

The time spent in the fields is rewarding and great fun! The AGAR staff is extremely efficient in organizing the volunteer efforts, especially the time spent in the field picking produce. Through use of their website and emails, small and large/corporate groups are organized for a few hours of picking produce at various times during the week and weekends. All ages participate and the younger kids have a blast!

It is amazing to watch thousands of pounds of produce go from vine, stalk or tree, into bags by the volunteers, then large boxes which are immediately loaded into trucks for delivery to various food banks and those in need................all in a matter of a few hours!

There are many great opportunities to volunteer including planting, harvesting, transporting, education and fundraising. Involve your families, schools, churches, sports teams, college students/organizations, and corporations/employers. Give back and have fun!

I have volunteered with America's Grow-a-Row twice through my corporation. It is truly one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. Not only do I learn about the rigor it takes to farm the fields (and I always feel that rigor the next morning!), but I see the fruits of our labor get picked up directly from the local food bank. As a team bonding activity for an organization that is aiming to make sustainable living commonplace, this organization always has the team motivated to make a brighter future.

Grow-a-row is a truly fantastic organization. I have been volunteering with them for about 4 years now. It started through my company's United Way program, but has since expanded to include my family, church, and cub scout group.

Grow-a-row makes a lot out of very little. They have a very noble goal - give fresh produce to people who otherwise wouldn't have anything to eat. Most of us are very blessed to be able to eat whatever we want; try fasting for a day, and you will appreciate what Grow-a-Row does!

As a volunteer, they use your time very efficiently - you can plant beans, harvest corn, gather fruit, and so on. I have picked cabbage (very hard), tomatoes and green beans (pretty easy), and corn (kind of in between). I planted green bean seeds on what was probably the hottest day of the year, and I've picked corn in weather than can best be described as a monsoon. (I've also had plenty of good weather experiences!). I have never regretted a minute of the time spent with Grow-a-row.

Much of what they do is "glean" - go through fields or orchards after the owner has harvested the prime vegetables or fruits, but there is still plenty of good produce available. The "gleaners" go through and gather all of that produce, all of which is perfectly acceptable food and otherwise would have gone to waste. That is an outstanding use of resources, both natural and volunteer.

Grow-a-row also makes excellent use of the financial contributions they get. They aren't driving fancy trucks and buying new machines. They stretch every dollar as far as they can, buying second-hand tractors and so on.

Their educational components is also excellent. Each time we take our cub scouts, the boys learn about vegetable, produce, nutrition, and more. Their program with inner city youth is absolutely fantastic.

Finally, I served on the board of directors of the United Way of Hunterdon County. Through that experience, I got to know quite a few non-profit organizations. While UWHC sponsors many great agencies, I believe America's Grow-a-Row is one of the best, if not the best. They have excellent leadership, they are financially very smart, and make fantastic use of volunteer time.

I can't say enough good things about America's Grow-a-row. I only wish I had more time to devote to them.

The AGAR staff truly appreciate the volunteers and show it in all their work. I love being able to volunteer with my family, and my children are learning a valuable lesson about giving back to the communities of NJ. I am so glad they are addressing such a important need for so many people. Somehow they make hard work fun.

Both my family and Highlands Presbyterian Church where I serve as pastor have had wonderful service-learning experiences with AGAR through the years. Our groups have picked peaches, green beans, apples, and corn at different times and places. Not only do we learn a task that brings us closer to the earth, but we also take away the knowledge that giving of our time and energy can be good for others as well.
One year our daughter chose to have her birthday party at a nearby farm where the kids all picked apples for AGAR to be given to a food bank. It was a lot of fun and helped raise awareness with the parents and kids about this great organization and how it helps millions of people.
A group from the church went to Camden NJ one Friday to experience the Free Farm Market delivering fresh produce to people with limited access to it. For my congregants this program of AGAR gave them a chance to step out of their comfort zone and interact directly with folks who live in a place which gets very bad press. This opportunity transformed the issue of poverty and hunger into something personal and real.
I appreciate the good communicators at AGAR - Leena, Chip, Jules, Heather, Sally, etc. - are all folks who are personable, knowledgeable, and dependable leaders in this organization and it has been a joy to work with them.

AGAR is the gold standard when it comes to non-profits. Chip and his team have such amazing energy around their mission of providing freah, healthy food to those in need. They are diligent in ensuring every dollar donated is used effectively toward that goal. Thier large volunteer base is dedicated and provides the resources needed to harvest the produce and keep operating costs down. The Board is extremely active both on/off the farm. it is a wonderful organization and I am proud to be a member of.

Awesome place. I love the staff....they are just so friendly. The work was fun, too. More importanty, my time at AGAR was meaningful. Blessings to Chip and family!

America's Grow-a-Row's endeavors helps to energize our congregation's desire to assist in "growing" our own Mission Garden. AGAR helped us educate our own volunteers and the result has been a 5-year old Mission Garden project that this year alone, produced a 250% increase over last year of fresh produce both grown and donated to our local food banks. Creating awareness is only the first step. AGAR has done an amazing job empowering and motivating individuals and other charitable organizations to make a difference in our less fortunate neighbor's lives.

The overall experience with America's Grow a Row has been tremendous. Having served as a volunteer for several years, and leading a group of volunteers for the same amount of time has been one of the easiest events to plan.
AGAR Staff effectively communicate their needs and expectations. Provide the proper instructions on site and are highly motivated to achieve a goal. The work experience is just the right amount of time to make you feel as though you have contributed a great deal but not so much that you are overworked.
The Staff also explain the impact that your volunteer work will make and explain the experience of providing food to the end user.

Keep up the great work AGAR !!!!!

AGAR is a terrific organization that is having a real impact on the hunger crisis in New Jersey, helping to feed those in need with fresh, healthy fresh and vegetables. With a limited staff of 3 full-time and 3 part-time employees and an extensive network of approximately 3,000 volunteers, AGAR grows, gleans, and donates desperately needed fresh produce to food banks, food pantries and soup kitchens all over New Jersey, including “food desert” areas that lack access to affordable fresh produce. AGAR also provides education programs in schools and “on-the-field” that address healthy eating, the hunger crisis, volunteerism, and the role of agriculture in our food system.

AGAR successfully combines a business model to the framework of a mission-driven non-profit, working closely with partner agencies to fill orders and tailor the mix of produce provided based on what is most needed and most requested. They have created an inventory management system and are able to distribute produce in a timely manner that does not require refrigeration or long-term storage.

The enthusiasm and energy in the AGAR organization is contagious and they are making a very real, positive difference in the lives of our neighbors in need in NJ.

AGAR is a great nonprofit that provides a great service to those in need in the state of New Jersey. Their unique approach to tackling this problem is effective. They are having a real impact and their fast-pace growth is a testament to their results. They do this while also being a great steward of their limited resources and an incredible volunteer force.

Please consider AGAR when you are contemplating making a charitable gift to a deserving nonprofit. AGAR is a worthy cause!

I have a passion for gardening and being of service to others, AGAR has been able to meet both of these needs over the past 5 years. My family and I have been involved in a number of volunteer oppprtunities that have come up over the years. My personal favorite is picking corn in the summer and seeing bin after bin full of healthy food ready for pick-up by the food banks. My wife and I are part of the team that gleans from the local Shop-Rite and distributes veggies and fruit to those in need from the Flemington area. We have also helped out with the Free Farm Market set up in the Camden area for people that have limited access to healty produce. II continue to see first hand the impact AGAR has on the lives of those who volunteer as well as those who benefit from servings of fruits and vegetable and because of this I will gladly continue to volunteer for years to come.

Currently, the East Orange YMCA, America's Grow-a-Row and Rutgers University College of Nursing is partnering together in a pilot program that includes an America's Grow-A-Row Free Farm Market, youth days at the actual farm and a health impact study. Y families pick fresh fruits and vegetables at the Y, participate in brief nutrition classes, take questionaires and our summer camp kids experienced a day at the farm harvesting fresh produce.

The East Orange YMCA is very excited to share this healthy living program with our community and know that it will change healthy living habits. A few of our families and staff have said:

"I made a smoothie (1 gallon) for the Y staff the next day using the peaches and then added green apples, spinach, kale, cinnamon and ginger with some coconut juice (this brand has bits of coconut in it). We discussed chipping in on a regular basis to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at a farmer's market that I can juice for everyone and we're already sharing recipes. Yummy!"

"The produce was fresh and delicious. I just cooked the last of the string beans and my grandchildren really enjoyed the peaches."

"Since the Farmer's Market came to the YMCA, I really look forward to the fresh fruits and vegetables. I have always eaten a lot of sweets and many things that are not good for me on a daily basis. Now, I am learning how to eat in smaller portions and how to choose healthier food selections. The first time I tried the corn I literally ate it with every meal. The corn has a different taste than what I get from the supermarket. My granddaughter loves the apples and asks me everyday to bring her some apples. If I come home without an apple, she tells me I am not her friend. I appreciate the collaboration between Grow-A-Row and the East Orange YMCA. This community, including myself, can learn how to adapt healthier eating habits in our daily lives."

AGAR is an excellent example of an important nonprofit organization which is changing lives. Normally it's the lives of the receivers of a service provided that are changed, however in this instance, it's all of the lives that are touched in the process of planting and harvesting and education, that are changed as well. The growth of AGAR is the testimony to its value. It's ability to produce fresh produce has grown; the camps, conference centers, churches that support it have grown; the corporate and political support has grown; the number of volunteers has grown; the number of people touched by its outreach has grown. Working with many Christian nonprofits across the US, I have been especially impressed with the evolution of AGAR. Special blessings to an incredible team!

AGAR is a terrific group that is making a difference in the lives of so many New Jersey residents. They provide opportunities for thousands of volunteers to contribute their time and talents, they educate students about healthy eating, and they distribute the produce so those who are hungry can receive nutritional food. AGAR is filled with dedicated people who are doing everything possible to stamp out hunger in NJ. When Chip started AGAR, he started a powerful movement that has changed the lives of millions.

Americas Grow-A-Row is one of the greatest ideas and organizations in the volunteer world. Nowhere else could you give a few hours of your time and instantly see the enormous benefits you have just provided to far too many in need. With poor nutrition and diet being two of the biggest and costliest issues throughout NJ and our nation, it is just tremendous that this program continues chip away at ending these problems.

Our founder and President Chip Paillex is one of the finest people and natural leaders that I have ever known and his personality, spirit and energy continue to motivate everyone involved with AGAR. We are grateful to all that continue to both touch and support this outstanding program and we look to all of you to continue to help us win this battle. Although we find ourselves in the first inning of a long game vs. hunger, Americas Grow-a-Row has the team through its ever growing networks of support to win and win we will!

Thanks to all for your dedication to AGAR.

Kind Regards,
Kevin Feeley
Volunteer & Trustee
Americas Grow-a-Row

My family and I have been involved with America's Grow-A-Row for the past 8 years. Chip Paillex founded this organization as a mission project through our church and it is amazing to see how it has grown over the years. AGAR is unique in so many ways--it is one of the few local charities where my entire family can volunteer together, my girls were 9 and 7 when they picked their first ear of corn! Meeting and talking to neighbors and new friends between the corn rows, finding out that as a group we picked thousands of pounds of corn that would be feeding families the next day--is just a wonderful feeling. I coordinate one of the gleaning programs where volunteers pick up "not quite retail perfect" produce from local grocery stores and deliver to our local food banks. We average about 5000 - 6000 pounds a month! The employees at the stores beam when we come to pick up the produce as it used to be thrown out. My daughter completed her Girl Scout Gold Award with an education project for AGAR. We love America's Grow-A-Row and are so proud to be part of such a fantastic program!

I was pulled into helping with America's Grow-A-Row through friends that had done volunteer work with the organization. One afternoon in the field was all it took for me to be inspired by what this wonderful group of people does. Being part of this process has made me realize just what a necessary service AGAR is. In my naivete, I was shocked to learn about those that go without fresh fruits and vegetables. As I have volunteered not only in the fields but in classroom education, I continue to be energized by the outreach in the community to educate and provide. Although there is always more that I can do, the most important, I believe, is to spread the word about the opportunities here. What is also great about AGAR is the ability to welcome all ages in lending a helping hand. The fresh air, physical work and doing what is so basic to life, growing and feeding others, sets AGAR apart. It's easy to see where the time and effort goes and makes me proud to think I am helping in such an organic way.

I am so proud to know Chip Paillex and all of his incredible team! Last fall I brought my 1st and 2nd grade sons to help apple pick right after the hurricane. About 20 people were there, and we rescued 3000 lbs of apples! It was hard work. While we worked, I was able to have some powerful conversations with my boys. They have not gone without fresh food, but I have. When I was growing up in Jersey City with my mom, we rarely could afford fresh fruits or vegetables. They were surprised, and saddened. It didn't make sense to them. "But everyone should have them mom, that's not fair" said my 2nd grader. I replied "I know, that's why we're here" He quickly asked "when can we come back?!" AGAR changes lives. Fresh food is not only critical for nutrition, but for everyone to know what is possible. Yes, you can! Thank you AGAR

My family has been involved with AGAR since the founding by Chip many years ago. It has been an amazing story to watch as it grew from Chip starting a small vegetable patch with a few volunteers to where it is today, harvesting many thousand of pounds of vegetables every year to help feed those in need. One of the things that I appreciate most about the program is the many volunteers who become engaged in doing good for others. The lessons learned by the hundreds of kids volunteering and learning about serving others is not known at this time but I am confident it will surely reap a great harvest in the future... Chip and his staff are incredibly dedicated and passionate about AGAR and I am totally committed to continuing to support the organization.

I was first introduced to Chip and America's Grow-a-Row in 2010 when my branding and marketing agency worked with the organization for a charitable promotion. He and his team were exceptionally passionate and a pleasure to work with. It took a little while - but we finally decided to volunteer as an office by picking green beans at Peaceful Valley Orchards in Pittstown, NJ. Around 75 volunteers came out and it was a record day -- over 900 lbs of fresh, locally grown beans delivered straight to people that need it around New Jersey. The experience was very relaxing and rewarding, plus we enjoyed meeting and talking with fellow volunteers. A few hours later, I suggested my girlfriend (and about 9 other friends) look into volunteering as well. Sure enough, she and I were back in the field the next night to pick corn... this time, about 25 volunteers picked an entire field -- 4000 lbs. Chip's desire to help others is so apparent in his actions that it helped motivate the group to continue picking until the last possible bit of light had been lost. It was awesome. In spending time talking to Chip and his team I've also realized how savvy and ambitious they are. The organization is perfectly suited to grow and can be scaled very efficiently. I plan to continue supporting them and hope that others, from everyday volunteers to large donors do the same. Their impact is immeasurable.

America's Grow-A-Row is a fabulous organization of very dedicated individuals who have worked tirelessly to provide fresh food for the needy. In doing so they have created a model that also allows many, many people who would like to do something a simple, rewarding, and enjoyable way to turn hard work into something positive. Once you start working in the fields amongst the other volunteers the spirit becomes contagious and you want to do it again and again. The rewards for your labor are right there in the box of beans or pail of tomatoes. You pick upthe box and immediately feel the weight of what you accomplished. Chip is tireless in his efforts, yet he is always ready to give all the credit to the volunteers helping out that day. He not only makes everything run smoothly, but he makes everyone feel special. That is the key to the magic of America's Grow-A-Row.

I've had the good fortune of being involved with America's Grow-a-Row through my company for over a year now and I can honestly say they are a fantastic organization. Over this time I've had the chance to get to know Leena and Chip through our volunteer efforts and you would be hard pressed to find two that are more dedicated and passionate about their work. They have welcomed us with open arms and have allowed us to help them in their mission to provide low income families and communities with access to fresh fruit and vegetables. It makes me feel good to know that I'm helping people in need and none of this would have been possible without the dedicated staff of America's Grow-a-Row.

As a leader of the Confirmation class at church I can hardly describe the value of the lesson learned by our students through AGAR. Our youth (and adults) are bombarded daily by the message, "It's all about you and getting what you want so that you can be happy." The best antidote to the "Disease of Me" that we have found is taking privileged youth out to the fields to harvest healthy fresh produce for someone who desperately needs it, but can never repay them. Some of the students delivered the produce to the soup kitchen and saw the reaction when the less fortunate realized that someone they did not even know took the time to give them food that was fresh, not boxed or canned. Every volunteer left that field with a much clearer perspective on what is important and how much we take for granted. The benefit of being an AGAR volunteer is leaving with a full heart, and planting "seeds" that may grow in years to come. This is why we have made AGAR participation a regular part of our Confirmation, Youth and Adult activities. I strongly recommend AGAR volunteering to one and all!

As president of the Joseph Lapinksi Foundation (JLF)-a non-profit charity assistance program I was so excited to introduce AGAR to my board members after a day volunteering in the fields. The JLF has three program priorities we look for when selecting organizations to assist-Health, Familial Issues and the Environment. AGAR was that rare organization that met all three of these different areas of concern and that is a testament to their hard work, effort and wonderful concept. AGAR is a genuine organziation that is looking to make a difference in their community by utilizing the skills of their founders members and supporters. Fund raising is a valuable tool to help others but it is when we volunteer our time and expertise that we reach our greatest impact. AGAR does just that and all involved should be proud of their efforts.

Our small family foundation looks to fund projects that have potential to grow and continue and that improve the lives of many. When Grow-A-Row applied for a grant, we were immediately drawn to their mission to grow and deliver fresh produce to soup kitchens and food banks; but when we learned that they brought people out from the cities to the farms, that made a good program even better in our eyes. We are impressed with the vision of their founder and of the energy and commitment of their many volunteers. I would love to see the idea go national.

America's Grow- a- Row was founded on the passion of one individual's desire to help feed families in need. Chip Paillex's strong vision and mission to supply healthy, fresh produce to deserving families throughout New Jersey started in his own back yard. Growing vegetables and bringing them to his church to be distributed to poor parishioners blossomed into AGAR purchasing a 130 acre farm that grows and harvests tons of fresh produce which reach needy communities throughout the state. As both a donor and volunteer, I saw first hand how dedicated the entire organization is to helping those in need. From attending multiple fundraisers to picking corn with 20 other volunteers one hot summer night, I felt I was part of something that truly was making a difference in people's lives.

My family's foundation was involved in funding AGAR early on with seed money to promote the idea. That little investment has generated a tremendous return to AGAR's clients - the patrons of food banks in northern NJ. Their model depends extensively on volunteers. In my view, the best any funder can do is generate a high degree of volunteer leverage in accomplishing a truly worthwhile body of work. AGAR has succeeded on all counts. I only hope the model can be scaled up to meet the real human needs in other communities. But for here and now, AGAR is doing remarkably well in a difficult economic environment.

America's Grow-A-Row (AGAR) is a very special group of dedicated staff, volunteers and a Board who have created a unique model which serves the need in our community for quality food for the population who depend on food banks for their food needs.Through a growing number of volunteers, AGAR plants, harvests and distributes healty fruits and vegetables to many local food banks in the community. Two yaers ago, they purchased a farm which has more than quadrupled the quantity of pounds of produce donated. It can truly say that every dollar donated produces more than seven dollar of value to the food banks and their clients. I can't begin to describe all that AGAR does because it's very comprehensive and can best be obtained by your learning more about their mission and results.

America's Grow a Row is an amazing organization that helps local people in need enjoy fresh, healthy food. What is even more special about this program is how they engage the community. It is wonderful to volunteer for them, and hear the sound of children and adults laughing and chatting, while working in the corn fields. Its hard work, picking the corn and filling the burlap sacks, and I was so proud of my own children as I watched them work. After a couple of hours, we were hot, sweaty, and exhausted, but truly felt like we had done something tangible to help people who were less fortunate than ourselves.

America's Grow-a-Row provides a wonderful way for me to give back to others with my family. My children are never excluded because they are too young, as they are with so many other non-profits. They have been picking corn and other produce since they were at least 5 years old and have learned many lessons about: hard work, agriculture, hunger, and poverty. This is an organization that values and appreciates its volunteers and I am proud to serve it in many ways. I am also pleased to not only be helping to feed those in need, but to be feeding them with healthy food. In an era where obesity, heart disease, and diabetes are rampant, we need to be giving people opportunities to eat better. Thanks to the leadership and vision of Founder and President, Chip Paillex, AGAR will be providing healthy, fresh produce to our neighbors in need for a very long time!