Community Gardens are not just a place for growing plants; they can also help build our communities. For visitors and gardeners alike, these public spaces are important for mental and physical wellbeing and offer an opportunity for food sovereignty and cultural sharing.
This month, we want to highlight an organization that showcases the power of community gardens to empower people — Everett Community Growers. Want to see all the community gardens along our Greenways: Read “Putting the Green in Greenways.”
Everett Community Growers (ECG) is a community-based food justice organization working to improve health and racial equity through urban agriculture, youth workforce development, and equitable policy change. ECG believes that everyone in Everett should have access to healthy, affordable, culturally-appropriate food.
ECG operates two community gardens, two community farms and a farm stand that accepts the state’s Healthy Incentives Program (HIP)-which doubles resident’s SNAP dollars. Photos (left to right): Chive blossoms at ECG’s Broadway Farm, tomato plants at their Northern Strand Community Farm, and the Tremont Street Community Garden. PC: Everett Community Growers
ECG works with youth year round to grow an incredible variety of produce for the community. At their Broadway Farm alone, they are growing beans, cucumber, chamomile, chayote, chives, corn, eggplant, garlic, hot peppers, kale, melons, mint, okra, sage, squash, sweet peppers, swiss chard, thyme, and tomatillos. “We are growing multiple varieties of almost each veggie, so once when we reach the peak of the growing season, the farm should be bustling with color and flavor!,” said Greta Zukauskaite, ECG’s Farm to Community Manager. ECG anticipates a new group of students to join at the end of July to continue the great work. Additionally, at the Tremont Street Community Garden, there are 30 beds for community members to grow their own food.
Peppers, garlic, and chamomile at ECG’s Broadway Farm. PC: Everett Community Growers
Beyond their work to bring healthy, affordable food to the community, ECG is breaking down barriers to the civic process, creating opportunities for more equitable, transparent, and community-led decision making. Their mantra is “No one knows everything. Together, we know a lot.” Most recently this work has centered around the Heat, Health, and Housing Participatory Action Research study – an 18 month project whereby ECG along with MyRWA has facilitated educational workshops on policies and issues that affect Everett residents. Approximately 45 residents participated – sharing their experiences on issues in their community, and learning more about the civic process and how to be involved.
In recognition of the incredible work that ECG has been doing in Everett to build social resilience, MyRWA awarded the team our Mystic Champions award on June 15, 2023. “If I had to say that their team has a superpower, it would be the capacity to see. To really see people, their community, the circumstances they face, and to see a better future for Everett, “ said Mariangelí Echevarria-Ramos, MyRWA Climate Resilience Manager.
ECG are this year’s Mystic Champions Award recipient. From left to right: Marissa Zampino (MyRWA), Greta Zukauskaite (Farms to Community Manager at ECG), Kathleen R. O'Brien (Operations Manager at ECG and Manager of Population Health Initiatives at Cambridge Health Alliance), Nicole Fina (Civic Engagement and Advocacy Manager at ECG), Mariangelí Echevarria-Ramos (MyRWA), and Darren Costa (Everett City Councilor). PC: Daria Clark
Visit Everett Community Growers this Summer!
ECG will be holding their first farm stand on Wednesday July 12, 2023 at their Broadway Farm (548 Broadway) from 4:30pm-6:30pm. The farm stands are held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month for the entirety of the season. During Wednesdays in between farm stands, customers can order ahead online and pick up their produce at one of our farms. For up to date info on the order ahead purchases, people can visit their website (everettcommunitygrowers.org) or follow them on IG or Facebook @ everettcommunitygrowers.
ECG is the only HIP (Healthy Incentives Program) vendor in Everett, meaning that when SNAP/EBT customers buy produce from ECG, they receive the money they spend back onto their card!
