February Nonprofit: Regional Environmental Council (REC)
/By Dani Babineau
In February, we’re delighted to once again be supporting the Regional Environmental Council (REC) as our nonprofit of the month - and we’re particularly excited to support REC again it does a STAGGERING amount of work in Worcester.
They have youth training programs for low-income teens. They operate more than 60(!) community gardens. They sell produce at farmers’ markets and pop-ups across the area, especially in food-insecure neighborhoods. And they host marquee events throughout the year (as you’ll read about below). That’s an enormous amount for a small nonprofit to take on, and they’ve made huge strides helping ensure that everyone in Worcester has access to healthy, sustainable, and affordable food.
We recently caught up with Ajayi Harris, REC’s Development Director, about the organization’s busy 2019 and what’s in store for 2020.
In the last year, what has REC been up to?
We have been up to so much. We had a great summer in 2019 on the YouthGROW Farm with over 35 youths working on the farm. Nearly all of the food they grew this summer was sold at our Farmers Market. We helped to pass a new urban farmer ordinance which makes it easier for people to farm here in Worcester. Our Earth Day Cleanup had hundreds of volunteers and over 100 clean-up sites. We expanded our Farmers Market program outside of Worcester this winter with a Mobile Market stop in Southbridge. Our 2019 Plant Sale was our most successful yet, with multiple cultural dance performances, food trucks, and our highest net proceeds, all of which went towards supporting UGROW, our extensive community garden network.
How did donations from Redemption Rock's customers help REC last year?
The donation was used to support our Food Justice work here in Worcester. This includes YouthGROW, our youth leadership development program. The donation also supported the REC Farmers Markets, which serves low-income communities and we were able to expand our Farmers Markets into Southbridge MA this winter. Finally, the donation allowed us to continue our UGROW program, in which Worcester Public School students learn about food in school gardens and community gardeners tend urban gardens all over the city.
What are the big issues that REC will work to solve in 2020?
We want to be the go-to organization for youth development, community and school gardening, urban agriculture, and farmers’ markets here Worcester. The REC is a leading community voice in food justice policy and advocacy, and we want to become the national model for how to create and run a thriving community and school garden network, youth-led urban farming, and mission-driven farmers’ markets and mobile markets.
What does REC want to accomplish beyond 2020, and how might donations from Redemption Rock customers help?
We want to invest in leadership development and job opportunities for youth through urban farming. Ideally, we will hire 40 youth to work on the farm, send youth to the statehouse to lobby for youth jobs, and train youth to be leaders in their community. We want to grow opportunities for the purchase and sale of healthy, affordable, culturally appropriate, local food in Worcester County. Additionally, we want to increase the sustainability of school and community gardens in Worcester through education, volunteer engagement, and community partnerships, including lessons at Worcester Public Schools. Lastly, we want to increase our engagement and impact through targeted advocacy. Donations will help further all that mission work.
What should REC supporters keep an eye out for in 2020 - events, new projects, etc.?
Earth Day:
On April 18, 2020 we are celebrating the REC’s 31st Annual Earth Day Clean Up! Each year on or near Earth Day, the REC and hundreds of volunteers join together to clean up neighborhoods, parks and gardens of Worcester. If you are interested in participating this year, organize a cleanup site by registering as a Site Coordinator or sign up as a Volunteer to join a team! We provide you with bags, gloves, additional volunteers and coordinate trash pickup.
Plant Sale:
On May 16, 2020 we will be holding our 11th Annual Spring Garden Festival and Plant Sale at the Worcester Common Oval, where folks can purchase their spring seedlings and enjoy food trucks, live music and dance performances, kids activities, and more!
Farmers Market:
The REC places Community Farmers Markets and Mobile Farmers Market stops in the most food-insecure neighborhoods in Worcester to create access to healthy, affordable and local food for the families and individuals who need it most. Right now, our Winter Mobile Market is running at four stops throughout the week in Worcester and beyond, click here to view our current schedule. Our Summer Standing and Mobile markets will start up again this June!
