Growing food, growing community       Founded in 1994 on privately owned land, Gaining Ground moved its main garden in 1999 to the Thoreau Birthplace Property on Virginia Road in Concord - a 17-acre site rich in history and under cultivation for more than 300 years. In addition, Gaining Ground operates the one-half-acre, reproduction kitchen garden at the Old Manse in Concord - modeled on the vegetable garden that Henry David Thoreau planted as a wedding present for Nathaniel & Sophia Hawthorne in 1842.       Gaining Ground donates all of its produce to area food pantries and meal programs. Our fresh fruit and vegetables are consumed within 20 miles of our farm … and within 24 hours of harvest. Learn more about our recipient groups.       Volunteers of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds perform almost 70% of the work in our gardens. In 2007, volunteers contributed a record 5,500 hours towards growing food for hunger relief in our gardens. Find out more about volunteering.       Individuals, foundations, community organizations, and businesses generously support Gaining Ground financially. You can too!     Our farm staff       Our farmer, Verena Wieloch (standing, center), leads a multi-talented farm crew to carry out our mission of growing food for hunger relief with the help of community volunteers.     Our model       Interested in starting something like Gaining Ground in your community? Read about the Gaining Ground model of hunger relief and volunteerism. Download our new Model Overview here.     Our newsletter       NEW !!!   Our 2009 fall newsletter is out. Click here to download the PDF document.