Growing Sustainable Food and Youth Leaders in Boston
May 6, 2009 by Robin Plaskoff Horton
Rutabega, carrots, and lettuce are sprouting from the freshly tilled soil of several urban lots in Boston. Since 1991, the goal of the Food Project has been to build a national model of engaging young people in personal and social change through sustainable agriculture.
The Food Project’s mission, as they describe it, is to grow a thoughtful and productive community of youth and adults from diverse backgrounds working together to produce healthy food for city and suburban residents. They aim to inspire and support others to create change in their own communities while at the same time providing young people with leadership opportunities.
Nearly half of the Food Project’s work is as a resource center for organizations and individuals worldwide. Through the project’s materials, youth training, and professional development opportunities, they seek to share their unique expertise for the building of other inspired, diverse, and productive youth communities.
In Boston, they grow on three plots of land in the Dudley neighborhood and also manage a 6000 square foot rooftop production garden at The Boston Medical Center.
Operation of these sites is made possible through continuing partnerships with the City of Boston, the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI), community residents, and the Boston Area Health Education Center (BAHEC).
Through their urban educational and outreach programs, they remediate lead-contaminated gardens and mentor backyard gardeners in providing safe, delicious, and healthy food for their families.
Through a four-part distribution system, they aim to increase the accessibility in the greater Boston area of locally grown healthy produce. Delivery is through a Community Supported Agriculture Program (CSA), two Farmers’ Markets, internal distribution, and shelters and food kitchens.
As the Food Project proudly claims, they farm in a way that grows the best possible food, at the same time growing the next generation of youth leaders.
Category: Community Gardens, Edible Landscaping, Greening, Raised Beds, Rooftop Gardens
Tags: Boston food Project, Boston Medical Center Rooftop Garden, City of Boston, community garden projects, Community Gardens, Dudley neighborhood, edible gardens, gardening for social change, leadership opportunities, locally grown, produce, productive youth communities, rooftop production garden, sustainable agriculture, Urban Agriculture, urban plots
Enjoyed this post? Subscribe to Urban Gardens!
share | 
e-mail a friend | comments (48)
Thanks for visiting the greenmarkets of New York through my blog, Gardenbytesfromthebigapple.com. Any time kids have fun gardening,it’s a great story. Ellen Spector Platt
— May 8, 2009 @ 18:50
Congratulations! The Food Project is such a wonderful idea. I am thrilled to know that some youth in Boston can grow and sell vegetables in even unthinkable places as a hospital’s roof deck. I would like to know more about this. Thank you and much peace and prosperity to the project proponents. Namaste!
— October 1, 2010 @ 02:18
Hmm it looks like your website ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any recommendations for inexperienced blog writers? I’d really appreciate it.
— May 15, 2026 @ 02:28
My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be exactly I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to write content for yourself? I wouldn’t mind producing a post or elaborating on a few of the subjects you write related to here. Again, awesome website!
— May 16, 2026 @ 10:32
Thanks for the recommendations on credit repair on this particular blog. The thing I would offer as advice to people is always to give up this mentality that they can buy right now and shell out later. As being a society we all tend to try this for many issues. This includes vacations, furniture, in addition to items we really want to have. However, you need to separate the wants from the needs. While you’re working to boost your credit score you really have to make some sacrifices. For example you can shop online to save cash or you can check out second hand shops instead of expensive department stores with regard to clothing.
— May 16, 2026 @ 20:54
Terrific work! That is the kind of information that should be shared across the net. Disgrace on Google for no longer positioning this put up higher! Come on over and discuss with my website . Thank you =)
— May 17, 2026 @ 07:39
Thanks for your publiction. Another point is that just being a photographer will involve not only problem in recording award-winning photographs but also hardships in acquiring the best dslr camera suited to your requirements and most especially hardships in maintaining the grade of your camera. This can be very true and evident for those photographers that are directly into capturing the particular nature’s interesting scenes — the mountains, the particular forests, the particular wild or maybe the seas. Going to these amazing places definitely requires a dslr camera that can meet the wild’s harsh environments.
— May 17, 2026 @ 07:40
I do trust all the ideas you have offered for your post. They’re very convincing and can definitely work. Still, the posts are very quick for novices. May you please prolong them a little from next time? Thanks for the post.
— May 17, 2026 @ 18:21
This is undoubtedly one of the finest articles I’ve read on this topic! The author’s thorough knowledge and passion for the subject shine through in every paragraph. I’m so thankful for stumbling upon this piece as it has enriched my understanding and stimulated my curiosity even further. Thank you, author, for taking the time to craft such a outstanding article!
— May 18, 2026 @ 21:23
I have realized that car insurance companies know the cars which are prone to accidents along with other risks. Additionally they know what sort of cars are inclined to higher risk as well as the higher risk they’ve the higher the premium amount. Understanding the uncomplicated basics connected with car insurance will let you choose the right form of insurance policy which will take care of your preferences in case you happen to be involved in any accident. Appreciate your sharing the actual ideas in your blog.
— May 22, 2026 @ 01:36
Thanks for the unique tips provided on this blog site. I have observed that many insurance companies offer clients generous deals if they decide to insure a few cars with them. A significant number of households currently have several automobiles these days, in particular those with more mature teenage kids still residing at home, and also the savings with policies can certainly soon increase. So it pays to look for a bargain.
— May 23, 2026 @ 13:20
Hi! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
— May 25, 2026 @ 01:45
hello!,I love your writing so a lot! share we keep up a correspondence extra about your article on AOL? I need a specialist on this house to resolve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Looking forward to peer you.
— May 26, 2026 @ 00:06
It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this submit and if I could I want to counsel you few attention-grabbing things or tips. Perhaps you could write subsequent articles relating to this article. I wish to read even more things about it!
— May 26, 2026 @ 02:16
You can certainly see your skills in the work you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.
— May 26, 2026 @ 03:49
Yesterday, while I was at work, my cousin stole my apple ipad and tested to see if it can survive a 40 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
— May 31, 2026 @ 23:07
Thank you, I’ve recently been searching for information about this subject for a while and yours is the best I’ve discovered till now. However, what concerning the bottom line? Are you positive in regards to the source?
— June 1, 2026 @ 08:38
Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s really informative. I?m going to watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future. Numerous people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
— June 5, 2026 @ 08:04
It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d certainly donate to this outstanding blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and will share this website with my Facebook group. Talk soon!
— June 5, 2026 @ 14:35
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly. I am quite sure I?ll learn many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!
— June 6, 2026 @ 11:52
Looking for the Best Drive School of Motoring? Get expert driving lessons at best driving school for affordable and quality driving instruction.
— June 7, 2026 @ 15:04
I have seen a lot of useful factors on your website about pc’s. However, I’ve got the impression that notebooks are still less than powerful more than enough to be a sensible choice if you usually do things that require lots of power, like video modifying. But for internet surfing, word processing, and a lot other popular computer functions they are just fine, provided you may not mind the tiny screen size. Thank you sharing your notions.
— June 9, 2026 @ 04:12
UpvoteRocket delivers anonymous automated votes to 25+ game server toplists XtremeTop100, GTop100, TopG, MMtop200, RagnaTOP, MuTop100 and more. Undetectable, no bans, no risk. Pay only per successful vote delivered. Launch a campaign in seconds and rank higher today.
— June 14, 2026 @ 12:33
hi!,I love your writing very a lot! percentage we communicate extra about your post on AOL? I need an expert in this house to solve my problem. Maybe that is you! Looking forward to look you.
— June 15, 2026 @ 09:05
I was recommended this web site by way of my cousin. I’m not sure whether or not this put up is written by means of him as nobody else recognise such targeted approximately my trouble. You’re wonderful! Thanks!
— June 18, 2026 @ 06:46
This web site is really a stroll-by for all of the information you needed about this and didn?t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you?ll definitely uncover it.
— June 22, 2026 @ 13:08
Thanks for the helpful posting. It is also my belief that mesothelioma cancer has an really long latency time period, which means that symptoms of the disease may not emerge until eventually 30 to 50 years after the primary exposure to mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma, that’s the most common variety and influences the area across the lungs, might result in shortness of breath, upper body pains, including a persistent coughing, which may result in coughing up body.
— June 25, 2026 @ 10:11
I’ve learned quite a few important things as a result of your post. I’d personally also like to say that there will be a situation that you will apply for a loan and never need a co-signer such as a Federal Student Support Loan. In case you are getting a loan through a regular bank or investment company then you need to be able to have a co-signer ready to assist you. The lenders may base that decision using a few elements but the most important will be your credit rating. There are some loan merchants that will in addition look at your job history and make up your mind based on that but in many cases it will be based on on your rating.
— June 29, 2026 @ 13:06
Nice read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing a little research on that. And he actually bought me lunch since I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!
— June 29, 2026 @ 21:33
Can I just say what a reduction to seek out somebody who truly knows what theyre speaking about on the internet. You definitely know the right way to carry an issue to mild and make it important. Extra people need to learn this and understand this facet of the story. I cant believe youre not more in style because you definitely have the gift.
— July 1, 2026 @ 17:34
My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. can you offer guest writers to write content in your case? I wouldn’t mind writing a post or elaborating on a lot of the subjects you write with regards to here. Again, awesome site!
— July 2, 2026 @ 13:41
Hello! I just wish to give an enormous thumbs up for the nice info you have got right here on this post. I can be coming back to your blog for extra soon.
— July 3, 2026 @ 11:08
Quad biking in Dubai seems like a must-try for anyone who enjoys adventure. The desert gives the ride a unique setting that cannot be found in the city. It is definitely something worth adding to a travel plan.
— July 9, 2026 @ 00:48
Thank you for sharing these kind of wonderful discussions. In addition, the best travel in addition to medical insurance program can often ease those concerns that come with vacationing abroad. The medical crisis can before long become extremely expensive and that’s guaranteed to quickly put a financial impediment on the family finances. Putting in place the best travel insurance package prior to leaving is well worth the time and effort. Thanks
— July 10, 2026 @ 01:29
There are certainly quite a lot of details like that to take into consideration. That is a nice level to convey up. I supply the ideas above as basic inspiration but clearly there are questions just like the one you carry up where an important thing shall be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if greatest practices have emerged round things like that, however I am sure that your job is clearly recognized as a good game. Each girls and boys really feel the affect of only a moment?s pleasure, for the rest of their lives.
— July 12, 2026 @ 19:10
I am often to blogging and i actually admire your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your website and maintain checking for new information.
— July 13, 2026 @ 13:38
My brother recommended I may like this web site. He used to be entirely right. This put up actually made my day. You can not imagine simply how so much time I had spent for this information! Thank you!
— July 14, 2026 @ 06:12
Hey there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
— July 15, 2026 @ 03:58
I believe that avoiding prepared foods could be the first step in order to lose weight. They will taste fine, but ready-made foods have very little vitamins and minerals, making you consume more only to have enough electricity to get over the day. When you are constantly consuming these foods, moving over to grain and other complex carbohydrates will let you have more strength while ingesting less. Thanks alot : ) for your blog post.
— July 15, 2026 @ 13:03
I am extremely impressed along with your writing talents and also with the layout on your weblog. Is that this a paid theme or did you modify it your self? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it is uncommon to look a nice blog like this one nowadays..
— July 17, 2026 @ 13:03
I have recently started a web site, the information you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work.
— July 21, 2026 @ 03:51
Thanks for your fascinating article. Other thing is that mesothelioma cancer is generally a result of the breathing of dust from mesothelioma, which is a carcinogenic material. It’s commonly noticed among laborers in the structure industry who have long experience of asbestos. It can be caused by living in asbestos covered buildings for a long time of time, Family genes plays a crucial role, and some individuals are more vulnerable on the risk as compared with others.
— July 22, 2026 @ 08:57
Great web site. Plenty of helpful info here. I?m sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you to your effort!
— July 24, 2026 @ 08:27
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike.
— July 26, 2026 @ 14:40
Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a blog web site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept
— July 28, 2026 @ 15:04
In these days of austerity and relative panic about taking on debt, many people balk about the idea of utilizing a credit card to make acquisition of merchandise or even pay for any gift giving occasion, preferring, instead to rely on a tried in addition to trusted technique of making payment – cash. However, if you possess cash on hand to make the purchase entirely, then, paradoxically, that is the best time for them to use the credit card for several good reasons.
— July 29, 2026 @ 06:56
hello!,I like your writing very much! share we communicate more about your article on AOL? I need an expert on this area to solve my problem. May be that’s you! Looking forward to see you.
— August 6, 2026 @ 04:12
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your website. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? Outstanding work!
— August 7, 2026 @ 12:28