The Everett Community Growers held its “Good Food for all” event to kick off the summer programs on a beautiful summer day at the new Everett Earthworks community garden.
A highlight of the event was the announcement of an $18,000 donation by Exelon Generation to be used for area youth to work in the Garden.
Archie Gleason, Exelon Generation’s Northeast Region General Manager, said, “Exelon Generation is pleased to help enable Everett Community Growers to hire a team of young adults this summer to grow fresh vegetables for the Bread of Life to stock their local food pantries. This will help provide healthy, locally-grown produce for families-in-need in Everett and teach skills and provide jobs to young adults in the community.”
Kathleen O’Brien, Coordinator of Everett Community Growers, said, “Exelon Generation’s support will allow us to fully realize our program to train a stellar youth team at the farm, and more deeply focus on offering positive, hands-on experiences through connecting with and learning about food, the environment, and our community.”
Emily Nink, Development Coordinator for Everett Community Growers said, “Expanding the youth jobs program at the Northern Strand Community Farm was a key program recommendation of our Advisory Board this year. To advance racial equity and health equity in Everett’s food system, our advisors recommended that we focus on elevating youth voices in Everett.”
Everett Community Growers launched the City’s first food plan and revealed the results of their Community Food Assessment at the event, which also included an exhibit of photos from the project. The event was held on Saturday, June 16, at the new Everett Earthworks community garden. The event featured art, food, gardening, music, and fun family activities.
The program of speakers included Tom Philbin, Director of Communications for the City of Everett, who spoke on behalf of Mayor DeMaria, Everett City Council Member Anthony DiPierro, and representatives of Everett Community Growers, Metropolitan Area Planning Council, and Exelon Generation. Also joining the community members and supporters of Everett Community Growers in attendance were State Senator Sal DiDomenico and Everett City Councilor Michael McLaughlin.
Everett Community Growers is a program of the Everett Community Health Partnership, a coalition supported by the Cambridge Health Alliance. Everett Community Growers’ fiscal sponsor is La Comunidad, Inc.
Exelon Generation owns and operates the Mystic Generating Station on Route 99 in Everett, the largest power plant in Massachusetts, supplying electricity for up to two million homes.