Backyard Growers, Inc.

Results: Our goal is to cultivate healthy, resilient, connected communities. Our objective is to provide the resources, space and knowledge people need to grow fresh food in community gardens, school gardens and individual and communal residences. Our programs increase access to fresh food by increasing the amount of produce that is grown in Gloucester. Our community programs connect neighbors to one another through shared community garden spaces, educational workshops, and neighborhood events. Our newest program, a local farmers market called the Backyard Growcery, provides local, small-scale growers with opportunities for sales and public exposure. Our school programs focus on teaching students how to grow food in their own school gardens and encourage them to eat what they grow during monthly lunchtime Taste Tests in their cafeterias. have two tiers: the first tier is to provide hands-on, outdoor experiences designed to teach students how to grow their own food. The second tier of our school programs is intended to encourage students to eat more fresh produce. We do this by hosting regular Taste Tests in school cafeterias, where our staff and parent volunteers share the garden’s harvest in a fun, inviting way that encourages students to participate in trying foods like kale pesto pasta, Green Monster Smoothies, pickled radishes and Raw Rainbow Beets.

Target demographics: Specific populations we serve include low-income children, families, and older adults; households in subsidized housing communities; single parent and “grandparents raising grandchildren” households; refugees and immigrants speaking English as a second language; food-insecure individuals; and unhoused populations.

Direct beneficiaries per year: 2500

Geographic areas served: Backyard Growers cultivates healthy, connected, resilient communities and fights for food sovereignty by empowering people to grow their own food. We increase equitable access to vegetable gardens and the resources people and communities need to grow their own food.

Programs: School garden programming, community garden programming & farmer's market