Grow Food

We believe everyone has a farmer inside of them (even if you don’t)! We started by restoring the Giving Garden at Sticks & Stones Farm, and rallied a community to grow and donate fresh produce to food pantries. We now have two Giving Gardens in Newtown and are developing a Small Farm Model to replicate throughout the region.

We use regenerative practices to maximize production on small lots. By focusing on soil microbiology, pollinator activity, no-till techniques, and season extension, we never have to use any chemicals. These practices sequester carbon, save water, enhance our environment, and create the best tasting and most nutritious food.

We started with one food pantry in Newtown, CT, and now, in our fourth year we are supplying food to 13 organizations during our growing season.

  • If you are a farm with excess produce, please contact us so that we may add you as a donation partner. We can pick up at your farm or farmers market. See details.
  • If you are an organization within a 30-mile radius of Newtown, CT, and would like to receive fresh food donations on your schedule, please contact us.
  • If you are a resident who grows your own produce and has extra to donate, come and see us. We are at the Newtown, Monroe, Bethel, and Danbury Farmers Markets.

Support Local Farms

We have networked with every local farm and farmers market in our region. We collect surplus produce, glean unharvested crops in the field, and have started the Real Food Fund to pay local farmers contracts that connect them with hunger relief organizations. Locally produced is the healthiest, best tasting food on the planet.

If you have the means there is nothing more important for strengthening our regional food system than knowing who your local farms are and purchasing their products.

Education

Young Farmer Internships
Our Farmer Training Program teaches individuals, age 16-25, the foundations of farming, food production and distribution, and serving the food security needs of their local community while preparing them for jobs in the agriculture and food service space.

Grow Your Own Workshop Series
We teach our community members regenerative practices on how to set up successful home gardens for years to come. We share garden plans, resources, and take fun group trips to local farms. See details and register.

Food Blog
Check out all the happenings around Real Food CT and the local food scene in northern Fairfield County. We have webinars, local farm and market highlights, and information on food security, healthy food, and our role in a vibrant local food system. See Food Blog.

Farm to Table Event

Real Food CT hosted its first annual fundraising event, the “SEED-TO-PLATE Local Harvest Celebration” in 2021 at the beautiful Castle Hill Farm in Newtown, CT. We featured a series of delicious small plates prepared by local chefs Michael Bick (Some Things Fishy), Pam Buchler (Aquarian Catering), Steve Forgione (Phinney’s), and Matt Kirshner (Uncle Matt’s Bakery and Café).

Locally produced food was donated by Shortt’s Farm, Waldingfield Farm, Daffodil Hill Farm, and Laurel Glen Farm. The evening also featured live music, a bonfire, auction and raffle, and showcased the many wonderful food products of local producers.

Stay tuned for 2022 event announcement, coming soon.