This fall, partners across Gloucester collaborated in a successful push for local food in schools to celebrate Food Day and National Farm to School month. A FoodCorps Massachusetts service member at community nonprofit Backyard Growers brokered a partnership between the Gloucester school food service program and the new West Gloucester Orchard to bring over 2,000 local apples into Gloucester school cafeterias. Backyard Growers’ FoodCorps service member also set up 4 Apple Crunch events at schools to celebrate healthy food, local farms, and local farmers. Click here to read more on the Backyard Growers website!

It’s starting to get chilly. The flannels are coming out as the men grow their beards. That means one thing- it’s time to clean up some garden beds! Join Backyard Growers in one of our many available volunteer clean up days and give back to Gloucester!

Sign up for the McPherson Park Clean Up (10AM-12PM or 1-3PM on November 11) here or sign up for the School Garden Clean Up (10AM-12PM or 1-3PM on November 3 or 3-5PM on November 4 or 18) here.

Thank you for your service and happy gardening!