Stearns Farm has received $1,000 from the Foundation for Metrowest to provide fresh farm food to needy families. Combined with $1,500 from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the funds enable the farm to donate four Classic Harvest shares to local hunger relief organizations.
“We are proud to partner with Foundation for Metrowest in alleviating hunger in our community,” said Nomi Sofer, president of the Stearns Farm board of directors. “This grant allows us to expand our longstanding food donation program.”
Recipient organizations will be chosen based on their ability to use fresh produce–not all hunger support organizations have that capacity. The list of possible recipient organizations includes a number of local food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters where Stearns Farm has donated surplus weekly produce for two decades. “Stearns Farm is a place of plenty, and we want to share the bounty that our land produces with those in our community who don’t have enough to eat,” Sofer said.
By purchasing shares to donate, Stearns Farm can assure our partner organizations of a steady supply of fresh, local, produce for their clients. With enough grant support, the farm could expand its donation program to 5% of its harvest.
The grant from the Foundation for Metrowest is among $120,000 in support provided to area hunger relief organizations in 2016.
