Hunger Relief
NCF Farm staff delivering produce to the Needham Community Council Food Pantry
Our Food Donation Program is an integral part of NCF's mission and our hunger relief efforts. This program has two produce donation channels: 1) the Needham Community Council Food Pantry and 2) Our free-of-charge Mobile Market at Needham Public Housing Authority sites. Each year, we aim to donate approximately 50% of the food we grow through these two channels.
​
Twice a week during the harvest season NCF drives our Mobile Market to the Linden and Chambers, Seabed Way, and Captain Robert Cook Drive Housing Authority neighborhoods. Once there, we set up our free-of-charge produce donation market available to all residents.
In addition, every Monday and Tuesday during harvest season we deliver produce directly to the Needham Community Council Food Pantry.
In 2022, over 400 families used the Council Food Pantry each month during our growing season and an additional 200 families had access to fresh vegetables through our free Mobile Market at the Needham Housing Authority residential sites each month. In total, NCF donated over 3000 pounds of produce at a market value of more than $21,000.There is a persistent, increasing need for free healthy produce among those who are economically insecure for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to economic challenges and escalating food costs. In addition, pandemic related SNAP benefits have ended as of February 2023, exacerbating the challenge for already burdened low-income families. NCF expects to see a higher number of families accessing our Mobile Market in 2023 in comparison to 2022, as well as additional growth in those who visit the Council Food Pantry, as a result of these issues.
​
If you'd like to support our hunger relief efforts, you can donate here!