Our Mission
We're bringing people together to create a just food system and to build healthy, sustainable, and equitable communities in Worcester, MA and beyond.
Communities in Worcester County experience high rates of poverty and food insecurity, particularly in the city of Worcester, where the poverty rate (20%) is nearly twice that of the state (11%) and county (10%).
16.6%
of Massachusetts residents are food insecure
1 in 3
children in the Worcester communities REC serves lives in a family unable to meet its basic needs for food
33%
Black and Latino/a/x Massachusetts families with children are experiencing food insecurity
The REC and its programs address community food security through community empowerment and youth engagement, and provide access to affordable, healthy, culturally appropriate, local food.
Our Core Programs
UGROW
We support a network of over 60 community gardens and 500 gardeners across Worcester
Farmers Markets
We bring fresh, local produce to those who need it most through our Mobile and Standing Community Markets
YouthGROW
We provide economic opportunity and personal / professional development to Worcester youth through urban agriculture
The REC does not, by policy or practice, discriminate against a person or group on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, marital or military status, or based on any individual’s status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.