Gardening the Community

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Gardening the Community GTC is a food justice organization engaged in youth development, urban agriculture, and sustainable living to build healthy and equitable communities.

GTC plays an important role in Springfield's food justice movement, working to create more access to healthy food, and building toward an equitable local food system. Youth development and urban agriculture are at the center of this work, with youth leadership development built into all levels of the organization. Youth from around the Mason Square neighborhood of Springfield and beyond grow pesticide-free fruits and vegetables on formally abandoned lots. The youth receive a modest stipend and are taught principles of urban sustainable living and urban farming. To encourage a more healthy lifestyle, produce is delivered to market using bikes and bike trailers. In addition to being a proud founder and supporter of the City Soul Market, GTC also runs a community-accessible CSA (a weekly vegetable share program) in partnership with the Next Barn Over, an local organic farm in Hadley. This provides residents of all income levels with additional access to affordable, locally grown food in the heart of Mason Square, one of the lowest income neighborhoods in Massachusetts. Youth participate in the GTC program throughout the four seasons, and in addition to growing food, assist in various community service and community organizing activities that involve food justice work in Springfield. GTC youth are recognized in the community for their hard work and leadership, and are encouraged to serve on GTC's Board. GTC also runs educational, garden-based summer programs in collaboration with the Mason Square Library and the Boys and Girls Club Family Life Center.

08/16/2026

Get into good trouble”, stand with Jim McGovern, Liz and our neighbors who need SNAP!

08/13/2026

Liz is now on day 12 without food to call attention to what so many families across Massachusetts are experiencing every day: not having enough food and not being able to access the SNAP benefits they need due to understaffing at DTA leaving people without access to those who can’t process their paperwork.

This isn’t because people aren’t trying. DTA workers are overwhelmed with large caseloads, families can’t get through.

We can and should help each other.
Share your extra garden produce. Check on your neighbors. Donate to your local food pantry. But mutual aid and charity cannot fix a broken system.

We need our state leaders to act.
Call your legislators. Call the Governor’s office. Ask them to make sure families can access the food assistance they need. Ask them for a supplemental budget to fund DTA to get families back on SNAP!

We know Massachusetts can do better. Let’s make sure they hear us.

08/07/2026

It's a hot one out there!
Apologies for the short notice, but the Farm Store is going to close a little early today, so we will be wrapping up by 4:45
pm. We will reopen tomorrow from 9am-3pm.

08/05/2026

Walkthrough Wednesday with our amazing youth and young urban farmers showing all of the progress they are making on Hancock street this summer.

07/31/2026
07/30/2026

Just two days left of July! Thats two days to use that HIP before August, come on down to 200 walnut street Springfield Ma and save money on fresh, local produce. We are also doing $1 eggs with a $5 purchase(I.e SNAP/HIP, Cash, or Card). See you soon and before August. ❤️

Make a fresh kale salad today with a purchase of about 5 dollars, and remember if you make a $5 purchase using; SNAP/HIP...
07/28/2026

Make a fresh kale salad today with a purchase of about 5 dollars, and remember if you make a $5 purchase using; SNAP/HIP, Cash, or Card you can buy a dozen eggs for $1.

Hey friends! Have stopped by our Walnut street farmstore this week? This is Sophie, a member of our program demonstratin...
07/28/2026

Hey friends! Have stopped by our Walnut street farmstore this week? This is Sophie, a member of our program demonstrating what you could get for under $6 at our store. Remember with a purchase of $5 you can purchase a dozen eggs for just $1.

Address

200 Walnut Street
Springfield, MA
01105

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 3pm

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