Regional Environmental Council (REC)

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Regional Environmental Council (REC) The Regional Environmental Council (REC) is a grassroots, non-profit, food justice organization YouthGROW employs 40 teens annually on two urban organic farms.

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 resources 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/

We will be hosting Monano Art & Pumpkin Painting with Liz at the REC Farmers Market at University Park this weekend, Oct...
10/14/2026

We will be hosting Monano Art & Pumpkin Painting with Liz at the REC Farmers Market at University Park this weekend, October 17 from 9am-12pm 🎃🎨

Monano Art is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to creativity, play imagination, and community empowerment through expressive arts. Their workshops are curated to foster self expression and community engagement in local youth!

Stop by the REC Farmers Market at University Park to shop fresh, local food & for free family fun!
📍965 Main Street Worcester, MA
🚗 Parking is available in the Clark University lot on Gates Street

Monano Art: https://monanoart.com/
REC Farmers Markets: www.recworcester.org/farmers-markets

REC Mobile Farmers Markets will be closed TODAY, Tuesday, October 13, in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day. Shop fre...
10/13/2026

REC Mobile Farmers Markets will be closed TODAY, Tuesday, October 13, in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day. Shop fresh, local produce at our 10 other open locations this week!
REC Farmers Markets: www.recworcester.org/farmers-markets

Seed to Fashion is in full swing at the Goddard Branch of the Worcester Public Library 🧶🌱In partnership with our friends...
10/12/2026

Seed to Fashion is in full swing at the Goddard Branch of the Worcester Public Library 🧶🌱

In partnership with our friends at Mihoko Textiles, we have been practicing dying with plants, weaving, and spinning wool on Tuesday nights. All children ages 8-12 are welcome to join us for this program through the end of October! See the link below for more information.

A special thanks to the Worcester Arts Council & the Mass Cultural Council for supporting this special program!
Learn More about Seed to Fashion: https://mywpl.org/event/17105143
Mihoko Textiles: https://www.mihokotextiles.com/

Happy National Farmers Day 🐓🌽Today, we’re celebrating and giving thanks to the farmers who make our local food system po...
10/12/2026

Happy National Farmers Day 🐓🌽
Today, we’re celebrating and giving thanks to the farmers who make our local food system possible! Their knowledge, dedication, and care are essential to growing access to fresh, healthy food in Worcester, and beyond.

Thank you, farmers, for nourishing our community!
Discover our farm partnerships: https://www.recworcester.org/vendors

Get a free ride to REC Farmers Markets! 🚌Thanks to the Worcester Regional Transit Authority, you can catch a free bus ri...
10/11/2026

Get a free ride to REC Farmers Markets! 🚌
Thanks to the Worcester Regional Transit Authority, you can catch a free bus ride to our farmers market locations through June 30, 2027! They are also offering additional navigation services through their partnership with the transit app, free travel training, and an online bus tracker.
Learn more about WRTA: https://therta.com/
REC Farmers Markets: www.recworcester.org/farmers-markets

REC Mobile Farmers Markets will be closed Tuesday, October 13, in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day. We wish everyon...
10/10/2026

REC Mobile Farmers Markets will be closed Tuesday, October 13, in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day. We wish everyone a safe & peaceful holiday weekend!
REC Farmers Markets: www.recworcester.org/farmers-markets

🌱 There are many ways to support REC.Our FY27 Annual Campaign is underway, and there are many ways to make a gift that s...
10/10/2026

🌱 There are many ways to support REC.

Our FY27 Annual Campaign is underway, and there are many ways to make a gift that supports REC’s work throughout the year.

💚 A one-time gift
💚 A monthly gift
💚 A gift of stock or other assets
💚 A gift from your donor-advised fund
💚 A matching gift through your employer
💚 A planned gift through your will or estate plan

Every gift helps sustain REC’s work to grow food, develop young leaders, increase access to fresh, healthy food, and build a more just and resilient Worcester.

However you choose to give, you’re helping make this work possible.

Explore ways to give to REC: https://www.recworcester.org/donate

Last week, our organization was honored to receive the Partners in Progress Award from our friends at Family Health Cent...
10/09/2026

Last week, our organization was honored to receive the Partners in Progress Award from our friends at Family Health Center of Worcester!
Their longstanding support of our mobile farmers market has been essential to making fresh, healthy food more accessible to families across Worcester. We are so grateful for their partnership in this important work!

Visit the REC Farmers Markets at Beaver Brook Park & University Park this weekend 🎃🫧We will be joined by Christine's Cre...
10/08/2026

Visit the REC Farmers Markets at Beaver Brook Park & University Park this weekend 🎃🫧

We will be joined by Christine's Creative Co & Inventor Mentor for FREE family fun this Saturday at the REC Farmers Market at University Park! Stop by for bubbles, balloons, and more 🖌️🚀

All REC Farmers Markets accept SNAP, HIP, cash, & card!

Meet the vendors and organizations tabling this week:
Harper's Farm & Garden
Fay Mountain Farm
Coolidge Hill Farm
Southeast Asian Coalition
Misigaro Farm
JuahKumbah Farm
Kelly Homestead Apiary, Charlton, MA
Daphne's Tears Bakery Cafe
It's Kelewele 31
Worcester Indivisible
Crimson Courageous
4 Little Birds
Worcester Family Partnership
All Kinds of Growth

Learn More about REC Farmers Markets: www.recworcester.org/farmers-markets

Address

108 Beacon Street
Worcester, MA
01608

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15087999139

Website

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