Waltham Fields Community Farm has a goal of distributing a minimum of 20% of our farm-fresh harvests through food access and food security inititives. We provide resources and community outreach through the following programs:
Donations To Food Banks
Charitable harvests are integral to the founding vision of Waltham Fields Community Farm. Since its germination in the fertile minds of an idealistic crew of gleaners in 1995, Waltham Fields Community Farm (WFCF) has distributed hundreds of thousands of pounds of organically grown produce to over 25 agencies within local communities. Our hunger relief efforts provide bushels of fresh produce to soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and nutrition education programs supplying healthy nourishment to people in need.
Often, WFCF vegetables are the only source of fresh produce supporting the nutritional needs of these programs. WFCF continually works with the programs we serve to tailor our crop plans to better serve the specific needs of participant populations.
WFCF's Mobile Outreach Market (MOM)
WFCF's Mobile Outreach program started as a pilot project in 2008 with the intention of making our organically grown produce more widely available to community members in need of access to fresh and healthy vegetables.
WFCF has worked to reduce transportation barriers for families and increase access to our locally grown, fresh vegetables. In a departure from previous years, and in collaboration with the Waltham Housing Authority (WHA) and WATCH CDC, our team distributes at community housing neighborhoods in Waltham and from the parking lot adjacent to the WATCH CDC office.
2023: We distribute fresh produce every Tuesday during the harvest season, from mid July through mid October. In 2023, we distributed at WATCH CDC between 3:30-4:15 and alternate between two WHA sites, between 4:30-6 p.m. We are thankful for the opportunity to deliver locally grown vegetables directly into the community and to build relationships with the residents at Prospect Hill and Chesterbrook neighborhoods and community members supported through WATCH CDC.
Visit this link mid July through mid October for more information about our current Mobile Outreach Market, or please contact Nadine at nadine@communityfarms.org.
Farm-to-School Produce Distributions
In 2008, we formed a partnership with the Waltham Public Schools to distribute our farm fresh produce for use in the school meals program during the months of June, September, October, and November. Each month, we feature a different vegetable in conjunction with the Vegetable of the Month program created by the Food Service Department and Healthy Waltham. We work with the Food Service Director to pick appropriate varieties and quantities of vegetables to grow and refine plans each year. We make a programmatic connection to our farm-to-school efforts by coordinating a community-wide event at the farm, called Waltham Farm Day. The community looks forward to this free event each year. We work closely with Healthy Waltham, the Waltham Public Schools, and the City of Waltham to bring families to the farm, and offer a variety of activities and experiences.
Subsidized CSA Shares
In 2009, we piloted our first subsidized CSA shares and are excited to be continuing the program. We recognize that the price of a share is still too high for some households to afford and are pleased to offer half-price shares. These shares are largely funded by other CSA shareholders who generously purchase a Food For All Share, paying above the price of their own share in order to donate money toward half-price shares for others. To qualify for one of our subsidized CSA shares, participants must meet the federal income guidelines established for participation in the free/reduced school meals program, meaning they must be at 185% or less of the poverty line, which varies based on household size.
For more information about our subsidized CSA share program, please contact Ana at ana@communityfarms.org
Produce Rx Program
We began our produce prescription program in 2020 as a means of providing fresh, seasonal produce to residents who have been identified by health care providers as at risk for developing diet- and nutritionally related illnesses. This weekly farm share is free and provides ample food for a family of four for a week. Clients are referred to the program by a healthcare professional who “writes a prescription” for a 20-week share of vegetables grown in Waltham on our community farm using organic practices. Clients and their families are encouraged to visit the farm at 240 Beaver Street throughout the growing season to harvest pick-your-own crops, such as cherry tomatoes, beans, and herbs. WFCF provides newsletters in multiple languages to help identify the vegetables, share useful recipes and storage tips, and encourage participants to try new recipes and flavors. Participants commit to picking up their weekly, free share of fresh vegetables from the set time and location, to preparing meals with the freshly harvested vegetables, and to answering a survey at the beginning (June) and at the end (October) of the program. We are deeply thankful to our partners at Charles River Community Health for making this program a healthy opportunity and a reality for so many local families!
