RFCT Farm and Food Programs
Real Food CT is a nonprofit established to connect locally grown food with people who need it most. We are committed to providing comprehensive resources to support Connecticut farmers and expand access to local food.
Real Food CT manages multiple farm sites in Newtown, CT, donating all of the food we produce at these community farms and gardens, directly delivering food donations to regional food pantries and food access sites.
With a growing network of collaborating CT farms, we are sourcing and distribute locally grown food throughout the state.
Our team of dedicated volunteers and staff have collected over 100,000 pounds of surplus food with over 30 local farms and over 30 community food access programs since we first started in 2019.
Young Farmer Internships
Our Young Farmer Internships are the future leaders of our communities and an asset to our organization. We provide a stipend-based experiential learning program to local youth interested in learning more about agriculture and food systems. The Food Systems Training Program engages a cohort of interns every season to teach the fundamentals of food production, farm and garden management, community engagement and food access.
In addition to the garden experience, we take field trips to other local farms and service organizations in our area. It is our hope to cultivate agricultural and food systems leaders.
Gleaning + Surplus Pickup Program
The unpredictable nature of the growing season for small and mid-size farmers in our area often results in surplus produce. Whether it be from a bountiful harvest or a quiet day at the farmers market, the extra produce needs to find a home quickly or its getting tossed in the compost pile.
Our staff and trained volunteers are also ready and able to provide a professional gleaning service for regional farms. We can make sure no food on the farm goes to waste and we support our neighbors in need with every resource we have.
Our team communicates and coordinates with our regional farm partners to make sure that no healthy food goes to waste. We pick up from local farms and farmers markets and deliver to our network of hunger-relief organizations. Click here for more gleaning details.
The Real Food Hub
In the summer 2024, we established the Real Food Hub, collaborating with local farmers and community food purchasers of Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven counties.
We provide aggregation, distribution and direct delivery services through the food hub network of farm vendors, food access organizations, emergency assistance programs, and food procurement partners.
What is the Real Food Hub?
RFCT has the capacity and infrastructure to support communications, ordering, purchasing, and deliveries for institutions like schools, larger hunger relief organizations, and hospitals if they are interested in connecting with local farms. Our goal is to service our network and ultimately play our role in the state of Connecticut’s emerging food system plan.
Small Farm Model
Our team has been executing the proof of concept of our Small Farm Model since our initial Giving Garden in 2019. The goal is to replicate a sustainable, four-season growing model on lots less than two acres in size with minimal start up and operation costs. Small Farms like Eliot Coleman’s Four Season Farm in Maine and our friend Farmer Craig Floyd at Coogan Farm in Mystic have proven how thousands of pounds of produce can be grown on small lots.
In 2023, we added a season extending 70’x 30’ greenhouse through a CT Dept of Agriculture Farm Viability Grant. We expanded our Board of Directors and are now actively exploring how best to implement this model near communities in our region that historically have less access to fresh, healthy food.
Little Sprouts
Our Little Sprouts summer program is back at Sticks & Stones Farm! This hands-on garden class is perfect for young children to learn about planting, harvesting, and the joy of growing food. Classes are fun, educational, and a great way to get kids outdoors and connected to nature.
This program is designed for children 18 months through 5 years old, with older siblings welcometoo. (We’re happy to make exceptions.)
Payment is due with registration to secure your spots. The fee is $25 per class, or $20 per class if you register for five or more classes. Siblings join for an additional $10 each. Children under age one join free! A parent or caregiver must be present for each class. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and closed toed shoes, sneakers, or boots. Please bring water, snacks, a hat, sunscreen, and garden gloves/kids’ garden tools if you have them! This is an outdoor class, weather permitting. Weather updates/cancelations will be communicated via EMAIL and we will make every effort to reschedule a canceled class.
Click HERE for the full spring/summer schedule and to register! Email jessi@realfooct.org with any questions!