The idea for the Westport Food Pantry Garden started in July 2023 when Board Member Stephen Clayton proposed the idea to the Westport Food Pantry Board. The Neighborhood Farm (a local farm here in Westport, MA) had originally suggested the idea to Stephen and he bravely thought “we can do this!” The Trustees of Reservations, who are the managers of the Westport Town Farm property, agreed to the idea and the Westport Select Board granted necessary approval…and the rest, they say, is history. With guidance from the Neighborhood Farm and a group of dedicated volunteers, the 8,000 square foot garden has become a reality.

By September 2024 we had harvested over 2,000 lbs. of lettuces, kale, swiss chard, zucchini, tomatoes, beans, and cucumbers. The vegetables are distributed at the Westport Food Pantry on Monday’s along with other available food items. Other vegetables we plant include: bush beans, summer squash, spinach, carrots, beets, radishes, and delicata squash.

With each season, we learn something new. Wrangling 200 tomato plants that are planted side by side in an 100 foot row is a challenge, but we make it happen. We’ve had some luck; the soil is healthy, we’ve had rain and good irrigation, and we haven’t been bothered by deer or woodchucks yet.

Link to news article posted July 26, 2024: “Westport Town Farm farms again”