New beginnings springing up at United Way's Pearl St. Cupboard & Cafe

Under a clear blue sky on a hot early summer morning, staff at the United Way of Tri-County (UWTC) and Pearl Street Cupboard & Café (PSCC), got down and dirty, digging and planting the United Way’s new Community Vegetable Garden.

The garden, tucked away behind the United Way’s headquarters in downtown Framingham, was planted to help those struggling financially access fresh nutritious food. Staff planted tomatoes, golden zucchini, cucumbers, summer squash, green bell peppers, a blend of lettuce, kale, and for the fall season, pumpkins. The fresh vegetables will be used later this summer in meals prepared for clients at the Pearl Street Café’s congregate meal program, serving anyone across MetroWest who is struggling with access to healthy, nutritious, food.

Joe Mina, PSCC Director said “Produce is one of the highest priced items to purchase for our panty, and oftentimes something we cannot afford. With this new community garden, we can harvest our own freshly grown produce this summer to include in meals provided to individuals and families in need.” Mina continues, “Our garden isn’t large, but is big enough to make a difference to our clients, whose food budgets are already stretched to the limit. And with hundreds of new families registering for help each month, we need every bit of help we can get.”

The Garden was made possible by funding from long-time United Way partners including major supporters Barrett Distributors and Middlesex Savings Bank. Both organizations donated funds for the construction of the garden including truckloads of soil, fencing, seedlings, and the addition of steps to access the tiered plot.

The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority also aided the project by allowing the use of a portion of their land for the garden, and Elizabeth Morrison, Landscape Designer, and owner of Elizabeth Morrison Garden Design, provided a detailed plant-o-gram.

Later this summer when the vegetables can be harvested, a special recognition event honoring Middlesex Savings Bank and Barrett Distributors will be held at the garden to thank them for their support.

According to a recent report by the Great Boston Food Bank, hunger is on the rise in Massachusetts, and the inflated cost of food is one reason why. With food prices soaring, families are making major trade-offs to survive the ever-increasing price of groceries. The report maintains many people are having to choose between paying for food, utilities, rent, and transportation, and 86% say they purchase the cheapest food available, which in general is not the healthy option.

Paul Mina, President & CEO at the United Way of Tri-County said, “we are grateful to Tim Barrett of Barrett Distributors and Dana Neshe at Middlesex Savings Bank for providing the ‘seed’ money for this new endeavor.” Mina continues, “Any nutritionist will tell you vegetables are the foundation of a healthy diet, and we are thrilled we will be able to provide the freshest most nutritious meals and groceries to individuals and families in the MetroWest region who struggle to afford food, particularly fresh produce.”

The Pearl Steet Cupboard & Café is open five day a week and serves breakfast lunch and dinner, as well as distributes monthly groceries to pantry clients across the region. PSCC is always in need of volunteers at their food pantry, hot meal program, client intake, and now their community garden. If you can help, please visit the United Way volunteer page at www.uwotc.org/volunteer and select Framingham Direct Services. If you would like more information about the United Way of Tri-County or would like to donate to the community garden, please visit their website at www.uwotc.org/garden.