PRESS RELEASE. March 19, 2023. Real Food CT, a Newtown, CT based nonprofit organization working to end food insecurity in Connecticut, has started their 2023 growing season with exciting news to share with the community. Now in its fifth growing season, the crew began planting in their new, grant-funded, 70’ x 30’ greenhouse. The greenhouse will extend their season, allowing them to grow and donate even more food to the food pantries they serve.
Another major step in their growth is the addition of four talented new Board Members, all passionate about building a sustainable and equitable food source and ensuring that everyone is our state has access to healthy food. Real Food CT is happy to welcome:
Keric Kenny, Owner/Operator of Butternut Farm; Kim Roberts, LMFT Private Practice; Chip Parrish, Founder/Realtor Shelter Real Estate Team; and Rory O’Kane, Managing Director of Equities, Bank of America.
The new Board members will help guide the next phase of organizational development, and deepen their community engagement in programs that have donated over 30K pounds of produce in each of the last two years. Real Food CT has formed five new committees that they are looking to the community for new members to contribute to:
- Programs and Events
- Community Engagement
- Fundraising
- Grants
- Expanding their “Small Farm Model”
They would like to expand the committees to help drive forward some amazing new program ideas, education opportunities, family events, and ultimately donate more fresh food to hunger relief in our area. With families continuing to struggle in Newtown, and many more in neighboring cities like Danbury and Bridgeport, we are seeking caring and action-oriented community members to join us in our mission to get healthy food to people in need.
Real Food CT has three primary programs that contribute to a steady supply of locally grown produce getting delivered to 12 area food pantries. First, they run two Giving Gardens in Newtown at Sticks and Stones Farm and at the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary. Second, they run a Surplus Pickup program in which a network of 12 local farms and markets donate surplus vegetables that would otherwise go to waste. Third, they run a Young Farmer Internship program to train high school and college students in the fundamentals of gardening and food system awareness.
Please reach out to Sean Fitzpatrick at sean@realfoodct.org if you would like to join one of our committees and contribute to an amazing team servicing their community.
