The Food Project

The Food Project– awesome for so many reasons. But, never having purchased their CSA or been to one of their farmers’ markets (though I definitely trust other reviewers’ 5-​star assessments), the basis of my review are their volunteer opportunities and workshops/​events for the general public. I met one of my really good friends while volunteering at the Food Projects’ urban farm near Dudley Square, where I also got my first experience in urban gardening. The staff are friendly and welcoming to all, whether you’re an individual or group (just make sure you arrange ahead of time if you’re bringing a big group of people). It’s a great place to get your hands dirty and know that you’re making a difference in the community by helping a great organization.
The cooking workshops they offer at their Dudley Street HQ are also great. Knowledgeable community members teach classes on bread-​making, pickling, various cultural cuisines (i.e., Sudanese or Cape Verdean), and all classes are donation-​based. Cooking workshops typically run in the late winter and early spring – just in time for you to have some new ideas about how to use the harvest from the coming growing season!– so keep an eye on TFP’s Facebook page or e-​mail list for updates on the workshops in mid-​winter. There are also gardening workshops offered throughout the spring, and a spring seedling sale.

Great organization! Food, community, kids, education. Everyone should find a way to help these guys keep thriving!

The Food Project should be a model for every community, especially cities with a lack of fresh produce. Growing up with a large backyard garden full of tomatoes, peach, apple, and apricot trees, blueberry bushes, string beans, and the list goes on, I just can’t stand buying expensive produce at the grocery markets that taste like nothing. We need more local farms to show what food really tastes like. Plus, it brings people together to share ideas, inspire each other, and connect on a real level. It was amazing seeing 16 year old interns speak and act so maturely. Amazing cause and results. I love The Food Project and will be back soon!

I am kinda obsessed with the Food Project. In a pragmatic way it intersects community, social change, the environment, health and sustainability in a way which is both inspirational and effective.
I preserved all sorts of things the Food Project grew and enjoyed them all winter long – pickled garlic is something I have learned no one should live without; I am so psyched to have a Food Project CSA this year–
I can’t say enough good things about the Food Project. It is awesome.

Great produce — you haven’t lived until you’ve eaten a fresh little orange tomato that has just been picked off the vine.

Every morning, I walk out my door, look to the left and admire my Build a Garden from the Food Project.
Allow me to wax for a moment about why I love the Food Project:
–my garden, a little bit of organic heaven
–the amazing Gardening Guide and seeds/​seedlings they FP provides that answers every possible question you might have and if it doesn’t,
–Kathleen Banfield, who runs the BAG projects, will patiently answer questions, encourage fledgling gardeners, and make you think you can live sustainably on what your garden provides
–is committed to bringing community gardens to folks who just need a little push to do it themselves
I love the Food Project. I believe in the work it does. It is necessary and it’s worthwhile.

One of the best-​run organizations I have ever encountered. It’s incredibly well structured and well managed, and their products (from their vegetables to their programs, trainings & volunteer opportunities) are all very high quality.
Find a way to involve yourself with them if you can– as a volunteer, Farmers Market customer, CSA member, enroll in the build-​a-​bed program to get a vegetable garden built at your house – or if you are 14 – 17 you can apply for a summer job with them and spend the season growing food, playing learning games, and getting a paycheck.

5 stars for being an AWESOME organization :) This is our first summer with The Food Project CSA and I am sooooo super happy with it, especially because of what the organization does for youth. Every Thursday we pick up our box in JP and look forward to all of the fresh veggies :) Also, we really love experiencing new things, like Kohlrabi! Anyone? hahaha. such a weird looking vegetable that I’ve never heard of till now! Anyway, really love these guys and what they do! The veggies are always rinsed and yummy :)
Bummer about the tomatoes and potatoes this year, but the ones we had up till now were so tasty.
CAN’T WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!!! :)

I get a weekly farm share from the Food Project and have been for several years, It’s always fun to see what new things are going to be in the box. Still waiting for the tomatoes to ripen!
And I want to clarify some of the posts above. The food is NOT organic certified. In their last newsletter they explained in more detail, but they will occasionally use non-​organic pesticide but very, very rarely. Being «organic» also requires a boatload of paperwork, inspections, etc. which they simply don’t have the time to do. They are too busy growing us delicious veggies.
Another FYI, my wife and I get one box and we have to actively plan meals to make sure we eat it all before it’s time to go pick up the next one!

This operation is amazing. I signed up for a winter share and picked up my first installment last night. Fresh locally grown produce harvested by people who want inner city kids to experience the suburbs! I love their message in regard to sustainable farming. A criticism of produce shares is that most don’t allow you to choose the produce you prefer. That is not a problem here. I picked each beet because of a special feeling it gave me. My only problem was that Codman Farm was difficult to find and I wasn’t given any directions as to how to get there. I can’t wait for my December share. I would love to participate in the CSA in seasons to come. I just hope I sign on before the shares sell out.

Today, the Food Project brought a farmers market to my office to sell fresh, locally grown, pesticide-​free produce and other food items. The vegetables were grown by teenagers in an urban garden in Dorchester.
The Food Project’s mission is to, «grow a thoughtful and productive community of youth and adults from diverse backgrounds who work together to build a sustainable food system.» This is totally worth supporting.

I am lucky enough to work for a company that is socially aware and has gotten me involved with The Food Project. Is is amazing to see first hand how this organization has changed how young people at The Food Project view the world as a whole. I wholeheartedly suggest you stop by their Dudley farmers market or volunteer yourself! A wonderful enriching organization for not only Boston’s kids but the city as a whole!
PS — their organic tomatoes are amazing!

A noble organization that aims to drive personal and social change through the development of sustainable food systems. They have two local farms where youth are taught to plant food using traditional, organic methods. Half the produce is donated to shelters and the remainder is sold at farmers’ markets or in crop shares. They also host community meals with guest chefs from top-​notch chefs from all over the city. And of course, offer group and individual volunteer projects, great for company outings or a free weekend. Their whole staff is simply awesome, especially the outreach coordinator, Michael Iceland. Come support these guys motivate, educate and change!