Wareham, MA – The Marion Institute is excited to announce the delivery of nearly 100 pounds of fresh vegetables from its Frogfoot Farm to Damien’s Place Food Pantry in Wareham, MA, on Wednesday, October 16. The first harvest, which included radishes and turnips, represents a major milestone for Frogfoot Farm and highlights its commitment to addressing local food insecurity. With 1 in 3 people struggling to access basic food groups like fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and seafood, this initiative is a critical part of the region’s food relief efforts.
“This project has been three years in the making,” said Executive Director, Liz Wiley. “We didn’t think we’d have a crop this year, so seeing this harvest come to fruition and partnering with Damien’s Place feels like a dream come true.”
Frogfoot Farm plays a crucial role in supporting food relief organizations, including Damien’s Place and other pantries in the region, by providing fresh, locally grown produce. In addition to farming, Frogfoot Farm will be operating a Gleaning Program that trains volunteers to harvest surplus crops from nearby farms, ensuring that food that might otherwise go to waste is distributed to those in need. Farmers who participate in the Gleaning Program can also benefit from tax incentives.
“Once the farm is fully operational, we expect to harvest 50,000 lbs of food from Frogfoot Farm alone, with an additional 200,000 lbs when our regional gleaning program is up and running.” Liz adds.
How to Get Involved
The Marion Institute invites community members to support Frogfoot Farm through its “Fund-a-Need” initiative or by volunteering to assist with harvests. For 30 years, the Marion Institute has been turning ideas into action by engaging communities in root-cause solutions that promote health, food, and environmental equity.