Grow Youngstown Opens Winter Food Registration

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Grow Youngstown, a nonprofit organization that acts as a local conduit for farm-to-table programs, launches its membership registration program for the winter season this week.

This winter, consumers can purchase a “share” in local agriculture and receive a bi-weekly basket that is sourced from Grow Youngstown and the Farm to You program, says Kerry Flynn, director of Farm to You. “Paying for your share upfront allows us to give our winter producers a guaranteed market for their crops, and helps to keep costs down. If your favorite farmer’s market closes for the winter, this is a perfect way to continue supporting local food.”

Grow Youngstown has expanded its food distribution program for the last five years and includes five sites where customers can pick up their produce: Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership in Warren, the Austintown Branch of the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning Ccounty, the Boardman YMCA, M Gallery at Erie Terminal Place and Youngstown State University’s Maag Library.

Last year, Grow Youngstown was awarded $97,000 to expand its Farm to You program. This included hiring a full-time director of the program, as well as expanding training and distribution.

Farm to You purchases produce year-round from local farms such as Red Basket Farm, Kinsmen, Birdsong Farm in Garrettsville, Haus Orchards in Canfield, and others.

Those who are unable to participate directly can sign up to buy subsidized shares for people who can’t afford to take advantage of the program, says Jack Kravitz, president of Grow Youngstown.

“Buying a subsidized share helps twice. First, the farm that we buy from benefits from the purchase, and then the receiving person who wouldn’t otherwise afford a share can get healthy food for themselves and their family.”

People can contact the program through [email protected], or for a personal interview, call 330 286 0688.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.