Marie-Ana Follet, WFCF Community Outreach Farmer

Mobile Outreach Market (MOM)

This was the second year that WFCF, in partnership with Waltham Housing Authority (WHA), set up the weekly Mobile Outreach Market (MOM) in two public housing communities. Over the course of 13 weeks we packed and distributed 100 boxes of vegetables for free, alternating between the two neighborhoods. We received much enthusiasm and participation in the market this season from residents, as we saw many familiar faces and youth often visited us to talk about the vegetables, summer fun, or helped us deliver vegetables to their families, friends, and neighbors with limited mobility. We distributed over 14,500lbs of vegetables this season, and had fantastic support from volunteers who packed the boxes each week. For next year, we are exploring returning to the market-style model and are gathering feedback from the community and partners. Many thanks to Ann Callahan (WHA), for her energy and support on market days, and Kate, the previous Community Outreach Farmer, who along with Ann laid a strong foundation for the program last year.

Produce Prescription Program (VegRx)

In its third year, we expanded our food access and health equity program, the Produce Prescription Program (VegRx), from 12 families to 16. We continued our partnership with Charles River Community Health (CRCH), and were thrilled to work closely with Jacqueline Caceres again this season. The medical team at CRCH identified low-income patients who were at risk for or had a diet-related disease who would benefit from an influx of nutrient-rich food to participate in the program. Over the course of 20 weeks, we packed and delivered CSA shares to CRCH for pickup, over 4,000lbs of vegetables total. We complemented the share with healthful recipes (English and Spanish), nutrition facts, and kitchenware items and shelf stable goods donated by our partners. A highlight of the program was hosting about 20 adults and children at the farm for a successful pick-your-own crop orientation, to welcome them to the farm and guide them in this aspect of their share. 

Volunteers

This season was full of volunteers, from drop-ins to corporate groups. We reinstated the Saturday drop-in hours and the Crop Mob, and hosted a variety of corporate groups at the farm. I enjoyed leading them in the fields to liberate our plants from the weeds, and appreciated the diversity of people who came to the farm to volunteer and get dirty.

2022 Forest Foundation Intern

I was extremely fortunate to have a superstar intern join me for much of my work this season. Bethany came to us via the Forest Foundation, and her thoughtfulness, plant science background, and interest in food access were huge support for me during volunteer sessions, MOM, and VegRx.