We donated 60% more produce this April compared to a year ago, thanks to two additional hoop houses providing warm shelter for more early spring crops. With the current pandemic, this increase has been well timed. At a time when fresh local vegetables are scarce, Open Table in Maynard and Concord Public Schools have gratefully received over 1,600 pounds of carrots, spinach, baby kale, arugula, and mustard greens.

A long time recipient partner of Gaining Ground, Open Table served about 200 households weekly in the food pantry during 2019. Since this year’s mid-March shelter-in-place order, the numbers have been increasing daily such that the pantry is now attended by more than 250 households each week.

A new recipient partner for Gaining Ground, Concord Public Schools (CPS) and Concord-Carlisle High School Food and Nutrition Services’ Emergency Food Program is a recent initiative providing bagged groceries to anyone in need during the Covid-19 pandemic. Bryce MacKnight, CPS & CCHS Director of Food & Nutrition Services, has been very cooperative in incorporating whatever we can deliver. MacKnight leads a core group of staff and volunteers who fill over 350 bags with staple groceries and fresh produce. More than 150 bags are delivered to students living in Boston while the remainder can be picked up at the high school. Each bag generally feeds a family of four for 3-5 days.

We are pleased that we have been able to support these two organizations during the spring shoulder season as we build toward summer and fall harvests. Bravo to Farm Manager Doug Wolcik and the entire team of hard-working farmers for supplying such delicious, nutritious food to those who need it most, especially in this challenging time.