Field Notes: August Updates |
It’s peak season on the farm!
This month, we joyfully welcomed the arrival of two favorite summer crops: juicy tomatoes and sweet corn. While the pressure of rising food insecurity and uncertain food access continues to challenge our communities, our team is working harder than ever to grow and donate as much fresh food as possible.
Thanks to that dedication, we have already distributed more than 66,000 pounds of food (304,000 servings!) to our hunger relief partners this year. That is a 17% increase compared to this time last year, helping to nourish neighbors of all ages throughout eastern Massachusetts.
Our farm crew also celebrated a record-breaking milestone: Harvesting and donating 4,300 pounds of food in a single day! This summer bounty delivered fresh tomatoes, watermelons, peppers and more, to tables from Boston and Chelsea to Bedford and Lowell. Plus, epic onion and garlic harvests are currently curing and will be ready to share this coming fall!
Expansion continues at the Minute Man National Historical Park. We’ve been crimping cover crops, leaving a thick, moisture-retaining, weed-suppressing mulch mat on the soil surface. This newly enriched soil will soon become permanent beds to grow more food for donation. |
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Strengthening Our Partnerships Dedicated partnerships with community-based organizations are the cornerstone of our work. Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting volunteer visits for several of our incredible food access partners.
We welcomed Eastie Farm’s Youth Climate Corps for a hands-on volunteer session, as well as staff, volunteers, and clients from the East Boston Community Soup Kitchen. We hosted Open Table’s summer interns for a farm tour and a deep dive into our sustainable growing practices. Our own interns traveled to visit the Bedford Food Bank, learning how their drive-through pantry, home delivery, and self-service locker programs creatively meet the growing needs of their community. These exchange visits provide powerful opportunities for shared learning and deeper connections.
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Corporate Champions
A huge thank you goes out to the corporate groups who have joined us this season. Your financial support and hands-on volunteer hours make this mission possible. We truly appreciate your hard work: Welch’s, Toast, Middlesex Savings Bank, Nexamp, Takeda, Careforth, MilliporeSigma, ZOLL Medical, B2Q Associates, NETSCOUT, and Cardinal Health.
Interested in bringing your corporate group out for a day of meaningful team building? Learn more about corporate team volunteering opportunities.
An extra thank you to everyone who has helped us track down banana boxes! They are essential for the safe packing and distribution of fresh produce, so please keep them coming! |
Our recent Volunteer Appreciation Lunch recognized our dedicated volunteers (who have volunteered with us 5+ this season) with a heartfelt “Thank you!” The following is an excerpt from Operations Director Allison Goodwin’s remarks:
“This year to date, with your help and that of more than 1,900 other volunteers, we have harvested and shared 62,000 pounds (over 287,000 individual servings) of fresh, organic produce with our neighbors in need.
Numbers, of course, don’t capture the whole story.
Numbers don’t convey the comfort, relief, and gratitude that a single parent, an elderly client, or someone experiencing homelessness feels when they receive free, fresh, nutrient-dense, locally grown food.
Numbers also don’t tell about the days when the weather is terrible; about the mornings when maybe you’d rather stay in bed but instead, you choose to get up, come to the farm and be of service. That choice, and the way that you spend your time here with us, tangibly builds community and changes thousands of lives for the better.”
Learn more about Volunteering at Gaining Ground. |
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| Welcoming Partners to the Farm |
A true season highlight is welcoming our hunger relief partners to the farm. These annual visits build the deep, authentic relationships that sustain our shared mission. Recently, our friends from the East Boston Community Soup Kitchen (EBCSK) arrived with a van full of enthusiastic staff, volunteers, and clients. Even though heavy rain altered some plans, the group didn’t skip a beat.
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| SNAP Changes Strain the System |
A new federal law, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, introduced significant changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. The law adds tougher work requirements and restricts eligibility for some lawfully present immigrants, including refugees and people granted asylum. It also shifts more administrative costs to states. Massachusetts, and our partners across the emergency food system, are bracing for the impact of the new federal changes.
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| Leave a Legacy of Food Security |
Did you know August is Make-A-Will Month? A reminder that encourages adults of all ages to make or update a will, ensuring your estate plans protect your loved ones, while supporting causes you care about. Consider including Gaining Ground in your plans and leave a legacy that will nourish the community for generations to come. |
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| Inspiring Recipes by Season |
Eating locally grown sweet corn and tomatoes brings the tastes of a New England summer into focus. Try this simple twist on a caprese salad with farm fresh ingredients from your local growers. Corn Caprese Salad |
From The Gaining Ground Table (updated in 2019). Available by contacting us at office@gainingground.org. |
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“Gaining Ground is one of my favorite charities, and I was grateful for the opportunity to volunteer at the farm alongside my colleagues. The experience allowed us to strengthen connections within our team while making a meaningful contribution to the broader community. There is something deeply rewarding about helping bring not only nourishment, but also dignity, to those who need it most.” Volunteer, Zoll Medical |
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Your Partnership is Essential |
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Your partnership is essential to creating a community where everyone has enough healthy food to eat, each and every day.
In 2025, 40% of Massachusetts households experienced food insecurity. Either they couldn’t afford enough food or worried about where their next meal would come from. Your donation means neighbors in need don’t have to choose between buying healthy food and paying rent. |
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Donations in any amount are gratefully accepted by check, online payment, stock transfer, qualified charitable contribution, or donor-advised fund. EIN: 04-3083976.
Planned Giving creates a lasting legacy for the next generation and beyond. Learn more |
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