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About US

WHO WE ARE

We engage and educate volunteers to grow fruits and vegetables for hunger relief

Community Harvest Project is a non-profit organization based in Massachusetts that is dedicated to addressing food insecurity through sustainable farming practices and community engagement. Since our establishment, we have been committed to the mission of engaging and educating volunteers to grow fresh fruits and vegetables for hunger relief.

Our farms serve as hubs for individuals and groups looking to make a tangible impact on local food access issues. Through hands-on farming experiences, we empower volunteers to contribute directly to the cultivation and harvesting of nutritious produce. By fostering a sense of connection to the land and the food system, we aim to inspire a deeper understanding of the importance of sustainable agriculture and equitable access to healthy food.

At Community Harvest Project, we recognize the power of community collaboration in creating positive social change. Through partnerships with local organizations, schools, and businesses, we amplify our impact and reach a broader audience with our message of food justice. Together, we work towards building a more resilient and inclusive food system that prioritizes the needs of all individuals, regardless of socioeconomic status.

Join is in our mission to engage and educate volunteers to grow fruits and vegetables for local hunger relief.

driven by purpose

Access To Healthy Food

Members of our community who experience hunger are also more likely to have limited access to healthy foods. Limited access to healthy foods leads to poor health effects such as unhealthy diet, higher levels of obesity, and higher instances of diet-related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. We farm and donate fruits and vegetables so everyone has the healthy option.

Learn more about our work with our 2023 Annual Report and 2025-27 Strategic Plan.

Got Questions?

FAQ

What is CHP’s Mission?

Community Harvest Project is a non-profit farm that engages & educates volunteers to grow fruits and vegetables for hunger relief. Our vision is to create connected communities that ensure access to healthy food for all.

How can I get more information on the Harvard or Grafton location?

Community Harvest Project has two locations. Our Grafton location grows mostly vegetables and you can find out more about the Grafton farm location here. Our Harvard location grows mostly apples and peaches and you can find out more about the orchard here.

What is CHP’s story?

The story begins with Bill and Rose Abbott, who owned Elmwood Farm in Hopkinton. In the early 1970’s, after witnessing countless neighbors struggling to afford fresh produce for their families, the Abbott’s began to donate vegetables from their farm and invited community members to be part of the growing process. As their effort grew, they incorporated “Food for the Needy”. They devoted their lives to this effort, eager to see it succeed beyond their lifetimes.

A few years after Bill and Rose passed, Elmwood Farm was left in a trust and was then sold to the Town of Hopkinton. It will be preserved as open land for community use. The owners of Crater-Ferraro Realty LLC Ken Crater and Peg Ferraro who worked closely with Bill for years through Food for the Needy, purchased Brigham Hill Community Farm in 2000. In 2002 Food for the Needy moved to its present facility and was renamed Community Harvest Project; though the name changed, the mission did not. Bill always said the farm has two crops: the produce that is donated for hunger relief and the volunteers whose lives are impacted by their experience. The first season produced 3500 pounds of produce from 300 volunteer visits. The following year, the farm hired its first volunteer coordinator and staff member.

Since then, CHP has grown exponentially every year. After David and Vickie Cheney saw an article about CHP, they offered use of their orchard in Brimfield from 2010 to 2014. Additionally, when the Brigham Hill fields filled up in 2010, board member and neighbor David White, along with his wife Shirley, welcomed expansion into their family farm across the street. In 2023 CHP purchased the Brigham Hill Community Farm from Ken Crater and Peg Ferraro. CHP continues to lease land from David and Shirley White. Our farms are a tribute to the Abbott’s vison of a community-based farm for those seeking hunger relief throughout our community.

In November of 2014 an anonymous donor gifted a 75 acre property at Prospect Hill Farm in Harvard to Community Harvest Project. The property includes 30 acres of apple orchard and almost an acre of vegetable farm. We harvest apples and peaches for hunger relief at the orchard and a small portion of the apples are sold to support CHP operations.

What is hunger relief?

Hunger relief is making fruits and vegetables available to individuals and families who are food insecure. Food insecurity has different levels defined by the USDA. Low food security means “reports of reduced food quality, variety, or desirability of diet,” and very low food security consists of “multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake.”

Why is food security a health concern?
Food insecurity has been linked with a large number of common but serious negative health outcomes.

Food insecure adults, when compared to their food secure counterparts:

  • Are twice as likely to be in fair or poor health
  • Have a greater risk of developing diabetes or heart disease
  • Are three times as likely to report symptoms of depression

In children, food insecurity is linked with higher rates of:

  • Hospitalization
  • Iron deficiency anemia
  • Stomach aches and headaches
  • Behavioral problems, including anxiety, aggression, hyperactivity, and poor school performance
Who are our partners?

The majority of our high quality, fresh produce is donated to the Worcester County Food Bank who then distributes throughout their hunger relief network. A large amount of our seconds are donated to Community Servings, a meal program for those living with critical and chronic illnesses based in Jamaica Plain. We manage a few smaller distributions with special partners including Hector Reyes House in Worcester and the Grafton Food Bank right down the street from us. CHP has close to 2 partners who pick up and disseminate our produce.

Learn more about corporate partnerships →

Who is on our team?

The CHP team is made up of individuals passionate about providing healthy food to those in need, farming, volunteerism, nutrition, and fostering a positive community environment.

You can learn more about our roles and contact us here →

Who can use the Community Barn?

The Brigham Hill Community Barn that CHP operates out of is available for non-profits, civic groups, and volunteers to use.

Click here to learn more →

Learn More about CHP

Our Team

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