Help relieve hunger at Community Harvest

The Community Harvest Project is seeking volunteers to help on its farm in Grafton and orchard in Harvard, which grow fresh fruits and vegetables for regional hunger relief.

Once again this year, teams from UMass Chan and UMass Memorial Health will get their hands dirty for this important cause.

According to the Community Harvest Project’s website, the “farms serve as hubs for individuals and groups looking to make a tangible impact on local food access issues. Through hands-on farming experiences, we empower volunteers to contribute directly to the cultivation and harvesting of nutritious produce. By fostering a sense of connection to the land and the food system, we aim to inspire a deeper understanding of the importance of sustainable agriculture and equitable access to healthy food.”

Last year the Community Harvest Project donated 188,501 pounds of food it raised to a range of community partners, the majority of which was distributed by the Worcester County Food Bank.

Participating in this program may qualify for paid time off from work.  Anyone interested in learning more or signing up to volunteer should contact Scott Rogers at Scott.Rogers@umassmed.edu

Upcoming 2025 volunteering dates are:

June 25 in Grafton
July 23 in Grafton
August 13 in Grafton
August 27 in Harvard (apples)
September 10 in Harvard (apples)
September 24 in Grafton
October 8 in Harvard (apples)
October 15 in Grafton

Photos: Volunteers from UMass Chan and UMass Memorial in 2024.