Below please find a January news release about winter programs at Massaro Community Farm.
Happy New Year from Massaro Community Farm! Like many of you, we take this time to catch a little extra rest and turn our attention inward. Farmer Steve grows a small amount of produce in our high tunnels that we’ll share with you as it becomes available. At the same time, winter gives us an opportunity to strategize, fundraise, hire new staff, and buy supplies – all to bring you another bountiful season.
Produce donations
By the end of 2021, we donated 8,400 pounds of fresh produce, and approximately 500 dozen eggs, which went to the following agencies: FISH of Greater New Haven, Spooner House, St. Vincent de Paul, Kathleen Samela Memorial Food Bank, Seymour Oxford Food Pantry, Trinity Church and CT Food Bank. The farm also wrapped up a pilot study in partnership with Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center offering free vegetables to EBT cardholders. You can read a full summary of 2021 accomplishments in our most recent Annual Report available on our website, www.MassaroFarm.org.
Your support makes our food donation program possible. Help us reach our “Growing the Future” goal of $15,000 by making your tax-deductible contribution either on our website or by mailing a check to the farm at 41 Ford Road, Woodbridge, CT, 06525. Remember that your contribution
- makes healthy food accessible. In addition to produce donations, we offer scalable pricing and accept EBT cards, helping more neighbors in need put healthy food on the table.
- protects the future of farming. On small farms like Massaro, planting heirloom varieties strengthens the ecosystem’s biodiversity, making it more resilient in the face of extreme weather and pests.
- supports open community space. The challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic emphasized the importance of nature – both as healer and as a safe public gathering space. In 2021, about6,000 visitors walked our trails, sang, danced, planted, crafted and volunteered on the farm.
2022 CSA Registration Now Open
At a time when many food prices are on the rise, we are pleased to offer this year’s subscription at the same rate as last year: $375 for a 10-week flexible share and $695 for a 20-week share. We are implementing a tiered pricing structure for subscriptions in order to make the CSA accessible at various price points. Fruit and egg shares are available again as add-ons, and you can choose to pick up at the farm, or at District in New Haven. At the farm, you can take advantage of u‑pick crops like cherry tomatoes, peas, green beans, flowers and herbs as they are available. The farm now accepts EBT cards as payment for fruit, vegetables, eggs and our jarred products. Purchase your subscription online using our new third-party platform, GrownBy, or call the farm office at (203) 736‑8618 to arrange to swipe your EBT card during normal business hours.
Winter Programs
We’ll be holding winter Goat Walks every other Saturday at 10:00am beginning Saturday, January 29. Only steady rain or ice will cancel. On these family-friendly walks we’ll explore the woods and edges of the farm where wildlife abounds. Dress for winter weather. $5/pp or $10/family. Secure a spot on SignUpGenius.com.
We’ve opened up registration for a return of our Growing Sprouts program for children ages 3 – 5. This eight-week parent+child program encourages farm exploration, gardening, curiosity, and connecting with nature. Please note that this is not a drop-off program. Growing Sprouts will begin Saturday, January 29 from 11:00am-12:00pm. $130/parent and one child; $150/parent and two children.
Back by popular demand, registration is now open for Winter Explorers for children ages 6 – 11. This eight-week series allows children to explore the woods and fields of the farm and learn winter survival techniques. Winter Explorers will begin Sunday, January 30: two sessions are offered. 10:00am-12:00pm and 1:00 – 3:00pm. $160/pp (sibling discount available). Held rain or shine.
Registration for youth programs can be made through the farm website, MassaroFarm.org.
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Massaro Community Farm is a non-profit, certified organic community farm on 57 acres of land whose mission is to keep farming, feed people, and build community. In addition to growing vegetables for seasonal subscribers, the farm donates thousands of pounds each year to hunger relief. The farm serves as a hub of education for all ages and shares its space with the community. The farm’s nature trail is open to the public 365 days a year. For more information visit our website at www.MassaroFarm.org or contact Executive Director Caty Poole at 203 – 736-8618 or at caty@massarofarm.org.
