We tackle food insecurity in Worcester through three core programs:
UGROW (Urban Garden Resources of Worcester) (est. 1995) - A network of 70+ community and school gardens and urban farms involving more than 500 gardeners and farmers and 2,000 public school students and their teachers who grow fresh, healthy produce for their families and schools. UGROW network gardens receive free training and r
esources like seeds, compost, soil testing, seedlings, and garden bed builds and repairs. YouthGROW (Youth Growing Organics in Worcester) (est. 2003) - A year-round leadership development, education, and employment program for youth (14-18) from historically underserved Worcester neighborhoods. Youth learn to grow food and contribute meaningfully to their community while developing leadership, job, and life skills. REC Community Farmers Markets (est. 2008) - Three weekly traditional Farmers Markets and 16 weekly Mobile Farmers Market stops connect the three communities of Worcester, Webster, and Southbridge, where price and proximity are constant barriers to food security, with affordable, healthy, culturally appropriate, locally grown food from more than 25 area family farms and 5 urban farms. These markets provide opportunities for more than 5,500 customers annually to use their WIC and Senior Coupons, SNAP/EBT, and the Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) to purchase fresh, local produce. Learn more: https://www.recworcester.org/
