Energy & Environment

Mill City Grows

Mill City Grows fosters food justice by improving physical health, economic independence and environmental sustainability in Lowell through increased access to land, locally-grown food and education.

Contact:
Francey Slater, Co-Director: Francey@millcitygrows.org;
Lydia Sisson, Co-Director: Lydia@millcitygrows.org

Website: Mill City Grows

Organizational Focus

• Environmental Resilience and Open Space:  Creating and maintaining green space within the city, while promoting ecological stewardship using sustainable growing techniques. Supporting community gardens and local policies that promote urban agriculture.

• Sustainable Neighborhoods, Community Health & Social Services: Building community networks through agriculture and nutrition education programs.

• Local Economy: Growing produce for the Lowell Farmer’s Market and mobile markets, while supporting future expansions to these programs. Supporting small market growers and assisting with transitions to commercial growing through partnerships with the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project.

• Food Access and Culturally Appropriate Food: Strengthening access to fresh produce through community gardens and the urban community farm, mobile markets, institutional sales. Partnering with cultural groups and growers to start seedlings for select crops.

• Youth Programs and Skills Training: Working with young adults and students through workshops and group volunteer opportunities at community growing sites. Focus on organic gardening & nutrition skills and leadership programming.

• Food Assistance & Emergency Food, Social Equity & Justice, Advocacy: Donating fresh produce to local food pantries and shelters.

• Urban & Regional Farming and Community Gardening: Supporting safe growing practices, increasing land access, and expanding sources of locally produced food.

Projects and Initiatives

Mill City Grows manages an urban farm and community gardens throughout Lowell. In addition to growing fresh produce and increasing green space within the city center, Mill City Grows provides food production workshops and nutrition education programs that seek to engage youth and community groups. Community gardens donate extra produce to emergency food providers in the city. Additionally, Mill City Grows is working with several community partners on a mobile market program to increase food access in several neighborhoods.

Partnerships

• New Entry Sustainable Farming Project

• Lowell Farmers’ Market

• United Teen Equality Center

Networks

• Local Farmers

• Food Distributors

• Institutional Buyers

• Youth Programs

• Volunteers

• Neighborhood Organizations

• Immigrant and Refugee Communities

• Religious Groups and Organizations

Geographic Scale:

Block, Neighborhood, Municipal, Regional

Content created by Metabolic Consulting