StarkFresh is such a passionate organization with tireless leaders. They have gathered a group who share huge hearts and want only the healthiest food options for the community. There are so many ways they work to reach people throughout the community and have worked so hard to make fresh, healthy food accessible by taking it to areas or opening their doors for everyone. Their teaching opportunities have also provided ways to help people learn how to grow their own food, which is another level of commitment to the community. They are an amazing asset to our area.
StarkFresh does the work that everyone should be doing in a community that they care about. The projects that StarkFresh carries out effects everyone in Canton--whether residents know it or not. From the mobile markets that serve a large swath of an underserved population to the urban farm projects that allow kids and adults to gain skills as well as see where food comes from, the work being done at StarkFresh has never ending benefits for the community.
StarkFresh does amazing work in the area on a very limited budget, addressing a variety of food, nutrition and economic development issues through very creative solutions. Good quality food is brought to elderly people, those who are mobility challenged and individuals in areas suffering from food apartheid at a fair price on the mobile grocery. Three urban farms provide fresh produce for the mobile grocery and other locations, as well as a multitude of training and teaching programs. Land at the Cooperative Farm is also used by urban farmers and beekeepers in a mutually beneficial symbiosis. The new Food Justice Campus, in downtown Canton offers a shared use commercial kitchen, shared use office space, community space and will soon include a grocery store. Work is underway on a supermarket in SE Canton, that will serve an area that has been deprived of quality food at a fair price for decades. Other projects in the works include Suppertime Meals, a flavorful, nutrient dense, ready to heat meal that can be purchased by individuals or institutions. In addition to addressing food related issues, StarkFresh is working to create multiple new jobs and opens the doors for local entrepreneurs to begin their business journeys. StarkFresh does so much for so many in the area, "tackling causes of hunger by creating realistic pathways out of poverty".
StarkFresh does an incredible job of providing produce and sustainable food resources to those in food deserts in Stark County. A great cause to support!
Proud to be a volunteer of this awesome organization that continues to innovate and educate ways to combat systematic poverty and provide equitable food access throughout Stark County. Check out #StarkFresh
Previous Stories
Tom and his team have been delivering fruit to us every month at the end of the month. They are always on time and the produce is always delicious. We can't thank them enough for all the hard work they do at StarkFresh.
Several of us have also volunteered at StarkFresh and we are so impressed with the great things that have been put in place.
StarkFresh has opened up opportunities for the students that we serve. This opportunity has given them a chance to engage in learning and vocational skill building activities. We are so thankful!!!
The energy and commitment poured into making this nonprofit a success is unmeasurable. If you are truly interested in changing the trajectory of poverty, reach outside of your comfort zone and see what is really going on at StarkFresh.
Previous Stories
You won’t find a nonprofit in the county doing more good work with fewer resources. We don’t pretend that hunger isn’t directly linked to poverty, and we don’t pretend that throwing tax dollars and canned goods at the poverty problem will solve hunger. Educate yourself as to what really destroyed the once-thriving neighborhoods of Stark County and get involved with how we plan to restore these neighborhoods to their former glory. It’s going to take hard work and honest conversations, and that’s what we are all about.
Working with this organization has been one of the most eye opening experiences of my life. StarkFresh is a boots on the ground, honest and authentic organization who really does its’ best to help our community. From feeding people to educating the masses, StarkFresh members work diligently to reach our community members from every touch point.
StarkFresh provides a wonderful service to our community by bridging the gap so that otherwise "food deserts" are able to have access to fresh vegetables and fruits plus other foods at extremely affordable prices. The dedication that Tom and Teresa have to this community and the passion they bring to this organization is to be admired; they continually look for ways to improve and expand this organization while always taking into account the needs of the community. Thank you, Tom and Teresa!
Starkfresh is a great organization, filling a real need in the Stark County area. In addition to an urban teaching farm, they distribute fresh fruits and vegetables to seniors and those in food deserts. The energy and passion of the staff is wonderful to see!
When Thorne's closed we lost the only way to shop for fresh food. Having a StarkFresh stop near my home each week helped me be able to afford to eat healthier and get back on my diet.
The StarkFresh Veggie Mobile was a lifesaver for me and my family. Being able to afford healthy food for our family of 5 is an increasing struggle for us. Being able to have my Direction card matched so I could purchase more food with it was a godsend.
StarkFresh continues to be a leader in the local food system in Stark County, OH. Their dedication to look at the larger picture and work with others to tackle all areas of the food supply is quite impressive.
StarkFresh is doing amazing work in this community, providing access to healthy, locally-grown food to those who need it most. I'm so proud to be involved with this organization!
StarkFresh leads initiatives in our community that bring fresh food and access to Stark County. Their mobile market, urban farming and extensive seed library are just a few of the projects that bring awareness and action to food insecurity. Tom and Teresa are passionate leaders that have brought a nonprofit leading change for our community.
What an excellent idea! You can tell the workers and volunteers really pour their hearts into brining food to food deserts.
I really loved the 5k Turtle Crawl.
It brought people into one of the food deserts, that they were unaware of.
I also donated a relaxation basket, that was well received.
Keep up the good work!
Stark Fresh are truly out there trying to make a real difference in my community.not just handshakes, candy and thumbs up to every passerby. This community has alot of malnourished children and even adults and stark fresh is out there every day pushing forward and helping the community. I'm proud that I've help in any small way that I can
StarkFresh is always doing innovative things to make Canton better. They're a small team of 2 + Americorps volunteers, so their output is incredible. From their urban teaching farms to their veggie mobiles to their Better Blocks and community grocery store development, they're making real change in Stark County.
Previous Stories
Love the veggie mobile it is great to be able to go and get fruit and veggies and know their from local farmers
Although I do not live in the area served by Stark Fresh I really believe in the mission of bringing fresh food to urban food deserts and teaching homeowners how to garden and produce fresh veggies for their families much as I do in my own raised beds. To help with the goals of Stark Fresh a group of fiber artists who raise fiber animals save wool . llama and alpaca fiber that is not up to standard for fiber processing and I take it to the Stark Fresh greenhouse location to be recycled as bedding mulch and erosion control for new gardens.
I've seen first hand how wonderful the employees and volunteers are...they are passionate about what they do and it's for a really great cause!
As co-chair for the Stark County Library Seed Bank StarkFresh has donated seeds to our free Seed bank so that others can experience the fun of gardening and pride in growing your own food! Also StarkFresh donated seed potatoes for the Downtown Canton Community garden on 5th St. NW which everyone loved! Thank you StarkFresh
Dottie Hockenberry
What I like most about StarkFresh is their ability to listen to the needs of the community, and create or adapt their programming to address those needs. They focus on helping provide meaningful solutions to the food insecurity issues throughout Stark County, OH. My favorite program that they have is their Mobile Grocery Market program where they deliver fresh produce and other grocery staples right to the door of those who need it most. They see to have a real drive to help their community, and not exploit or try to benefit for themselves. StarkFresh is one of the most selfless groups I have had the pleasure to encounter. They truly are a gem for our community.
StarkFresh does an incredible job of getting produce to individuals who have limited access to fresh food. Looking forward to watching this organization grow and the positive impact it will have for my community.
StarkFresh teaches gardening and cooking skills, reclaim unused land to grow food and distribute food to inner city residents. They are a great group to work with.
My mother was very disappointed that she did not get her coupons this year. She had them before and she didn't get them. We called and left messages to sign her up. No one returned the phone calls. Sad part about it is that in previous years at the Massillon's farmer market I have seen people selling the coupons for money and they had stacks of coupons. When we asked about it they said they gave them out through a lottery system. We have friends in Cuyahoga county who go the coupons this year and they had no problems and no lottery system.
