Regional Environmental Council Inc

THE REC WILL ENGAGE LOCAL RURAL AND URBAN FARMERS AND LOW- INCOME SENIORS AND FAMILIES TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE OUR TWO STANDING FARMERS' MARKETS AND MOBILE FARMERS MARKET PROGRAM TO ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING GOALS: RESPOND TO AND RECOVER FROM THE IMPACTS OF THE COVID-19 ON OUR LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM BY INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE SALE OF LOCAL FOOD, SUPPORTING PRODUCERS RETURN TO FARMERS MARKETS, AND INCREASING AWARENESS AND USE OF FEDERAL AND STATE FOOD SECURITY PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT THE PURCHASE OF LOCAL FOOD. INCREASE IMPACT AND SUSTAINABILITY OF REC'S MOBILE FARMERS MARKET PROGRAM THROUGH INCREASED MOBILE MARKET SITES. EXPAND THE GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE OF LOCAL FOOD ACCESS POINTS BY BRINGING YEAR-ROUND MOBILE MARKET LOCATIONS TO WORCESTER'S SOUTH COUNTY. INCREASE CUSTOMER BASE OF MAIN SOUTH AND BEAVER BROOK MARKETS AS MOBILE MARKET SITES THROUGH COLLABORATIVE AND CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE OUTREACH AND INCREASED PRODUCT DIVERSITY AT MARKET. ENGAGE WITH CONSUMERS AND PRODUCERS OF LOCAL FOOD TO DEVELOP MORE EFFICIENT, APPEALING, AND ACCESSIBLE MARKETS FOR THE CUSTOMERS WE SERVE. INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR NON-CONVENTIONAL NEW FARMERS (YOUTH, IMMIGRANTS, REFUGEES, ETC.) THROUGH SALES OPPORTUNITIES, TECHNICAL SUPPORT, AND EMPLOYMENT PATHWAYS.

FOOD JUSTICE, FOOD SYSTEMS & SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN CENTRAL MA

**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL (REC) AIMS TO CREATE AN EQUITABLE AND SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO COMMUNITY-BASED FOOD SECURITY IN CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS AND TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR POPULATIONS INCLUDING LOW-INCOME PEOPLE OF COLOR, UNDERSERVED YOUTH, AND IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE COMMUNITIES. OUR GOALS FOR THIS PROJECT HAVE THREE KEY FOCUS AREAS:1. BUILD CAPACITY FOR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP IN THE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM WITH EXPLICIT OPPORTUNITIES TO UPLIFT THE VOICES AND PERSPECTIVES OF YOUTH, SNAP/HIP CONSUMERS, AND URBAN GARDENERS IN DECISION-MAKING;2. CREATE A HUB FOR COMMUNITY-DRIVEN URBAN AGRICULTURE EDUCATION AND TRAINING EFFORTS IN THE CITY OF WORCESTER AT THE YOUTHGROW URBAN FARM SITE TO SHARE AND PROMOTE BEST PRACTICES FOR FOOD PRODUCTION IN LOW-INCOME URBAN COMMUNITIES AND;3. STRENGTHEN THE LOCAL FOOD ECONOMY BY INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PURCHASE AND SALE OF LOCAL PRODUCE THROUGH THE MASSACHUSETTS HEALTHY INCENTIVES PROGRAM (HIP) AND BY INVESTING IN AND SUPPORTING BIPOC AND NEW AMERICAN ENTREPRENEURIAL PROJECTS.

FOOD JUSTICE PROGRAM

GROWING MARKET OPPS FOR WORCESTER AREA FARMERS BY INCREASED TRAINING FOR NON-CONVENTIONALNEWFARMERS,PRODUCT DIVERSITY, AND CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE MARKETING

THE GOALS OF THIS PROJECT ARE: 1) EXPAND AND STRENGTHEN AN EXISTING AND HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL LEAD POISONING PREVENTION COLLABORATIVE BY RESIDENTS; 2) EX

EXPANDING ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES

FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM

EXPANDING FARMERS MARKET ACCESS IN WORCESTER THROUGH EXISTING AND NEW SITES FOR ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER IN FOOD DESERT AND LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHO

DESCRIPTION: REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL BASED IN WORCESTER, MA, IS A SMALL NON-PROFIT THAT AIMS TO INCREASE THE ACCESSIBILITY AND AFFORDABILITY OF HEALTHY FOOD FOR RESIDENTS OF WORCESTER'S LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS BY CREATING A MORE EQUITABLE AND SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM. THE PURPOSE OF THIS AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDED GRANT IS TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELFARE BY INCREASING PUBLIC EDUCATION AND BUILDING LOCAL CAPACITY TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE BY TRAINING URBAN GARDENERS IN BEST PRACTICES FOR URBAN FOOD GARDENING TECHNIQUES THAT PROMOTE CLIMATE RESILIENCE. THE PROJECT WILL EDUCATE AND TRAIN GROWERS AT APPROXIMATELY 60 COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL GARDEN SITES IN LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR TO ENGAGE IN HEALTHY SOIL AND BIO GROWTH PRACTICES THAT SEQUESTER CARBON AND WILL CREATE A NETWORK OF SKILLED COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT. PEOPLE WITH MODERATE-TO-SEVERE OR UNCONTROLLED ASTHMA ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE HOSPITALIZED FROM COVID-19. AIR POLLUTION MAY CONTRIBUTE TO ASTHMA. BY ADDRESSING AIR POLLUTION IN CAA 103(B)(3) PROJECTS, THE CHANCES OF SEVERE ILLNESS FROM COVID-19 MAY BE REDUCED. ACTIVITIES: THROUGH THIS PROJECT, THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL WILL PROMOTE COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELFARE, RAISE AWARENESS, AND BUILD LOCAL CAPACITY TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE BY TRAINING LOCAL WORCESTER URBAN FOOD GARDENERS IN CLIMATE RESILIENT GROWING TECHNIQUES, INCLUDING CARBON SEQUESTRATION. THIS PROJECT INCLUDES ACTIVITIES AUTHORIZED BY THE CLEAN AIR ACT, SECTION 103(B)(3) BY CONDUCTING PUBLIC EDUCATION AND TRAINING ON AIR POLLUTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL THROUGH URBAN GARDENS. THE PROJECT WILL TRAIN LOCAL GROWERS TO ENGAGE IN HEALTHY SOIL AND BIO-GROWTH PRACTICES THAT SEQUESTER CARBON AND PROMOTE CLIMATE RESILIENCE. THE PROJECT INCLUDES ACTIVITIES AUTHORIZED BY THE CLEAN WATER ACT, SECTION 104(A)(1) BY CONDUCTING AND PROMOTING PUBLIC EDUCATION AND TRAININGS THAT REDUCE WATER POLLUTION THROUGH PLANT AND SOIL FILTRATION IN GREEN SPACES. THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE MULTIPLE BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY. COMMUNITY GARDENERS WILL LEARN EFFICIENT WATER USE, PESTICIDE ALTERNATIVES, AND SOIL HEALTH/CARBON SEQUESTRATION THAT ARE CRITICAL FOR CLIMATE RESISTANT URBAN GARDENING. PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE EDUCATION AND TRAINING VIA WORKSHOPS AND WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT NEW CLIMATE RESILIENT GROWING TECHNIQUES INTO PRACTICE. GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY GARDEN VOLUNTEERS AND PROJECT STAFF WILL DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS WITH KEY PARTNERS WORKING TOWARDS SIMILAR CLIMATE GOALS AND BUILD NETWORK CAPACITY AND IMPACT BY INTRODUCING A NEW GARDEN VOLUNTEER CORPS PROGRAM. FIVE DEMONSTRATION SITE GARDENS WILL RECEIVE INTENSIVE TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND RESOURCES TO MAKE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE GARDEN VOLUNTEER CORPS TO INCREASE WATER CONSERVATION AND REDUCE STORMWATER RUNOFF, AND TO IMPLEMENT ORGANIC GROWING AND CARBON SEQUESTRATION TECHNIQUES INCLUDING LOW OR NO-TILL GROWING AND USE OF COVER CROPS. THESE INNOVATIONS WILL INCREASE CLIMATE RESILIENCY OF THE GARDENS AND HELP THEM SERVE AS EDUCATIONAL SITES FOR OTHER GROWERS IN THE NETWORK. IN SUMMARY, THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE RESIDENTS OF WORCESTER'S LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES WITH VITAL EDUCATION, SKILL-BUILDING, RESOURCES, AND INCLUSION IN LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE PROCESSES, HELPING RESIDENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE NEIGHBORHOODS BECOME CHANGE AGENTS ON THEIR OWN BEHALF AND TAKE IMPORTANT STEPS TOWARD IMPROVING THE CLIMATE RESILIENCE OF THEIR COMMUNITIES WHILE BEGINNING TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL INEQUITIES THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE ENDURED. OUTCOMES: THE RECIPIENT WILL DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT 10 EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS ON TOPICS IDENTIFIED BY GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY GARDENERS AS PRIORITY SKILL-BUILDING AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. THESE WORKSHOPS WILL FOCUS ON STRATEGIES THAT URBAN GROWERS CAN USE TO INCREASE CLIMATE RESILIENCE, WITH A TARGET OF A MINIMUM 100 ATTENDEES FOR THE SERIES. WORKSHOPS WILL BE PRESENTED IN AN ACC

EXPANDING ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES

THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL (REC) WILL LAUNCH AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR URBAN GARDENERS IN WORCESTER, MA, TO PROMOTE THE USE OF GARDENI

THE PROJECT AIMS TO DEVELOP AN UNDERSTANDING AMONG RESIDENTS ABOUT ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND WEATHERIZATION AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ISSUE. IT WILL ED

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS THE COSTS INCURRED TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO RESPOND TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS 2019 (COVID-19), WHICH MAY INCLUDE WORKPLACE SAFETY, MARKET PIVOTS, RETROFITTING FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, WORKER HOUSING, AND MEDICAL EXPENSES. IT PROVIDES NEEDED RELIEF TO THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS FOR THEIR COSTS INCURRED BETWEEN JANUARY 27, 2020, THE DATE UPON WHICH THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE (HHS) UNDER SECTION 319 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT, AND DECEMBER 31, 2021. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE EMPLOYEES OF THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS.

THE HEALTHY CHILDCARE CENTER CLEANING PROJECT (HCCP) WILL TAKE PLACE IN WORCESTER, MA. THE GOALS OF THIS PROJECT ARE TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND UNDERS

SINCE 1971, THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL, INC.'S MISSION HAS BEEN TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO BUILD HEALTHY, SUSTAINABLE, AND JUST COMMUNITIES IN WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS--NEW ENGLAND'S SECOND LARGEST CITY. THE PROPOSED VISTA PROJECT ALIGNS WITH THE HEALTHY FUTURES FOCUS AREA. REC IS REQUESTING 2 VISTAS TO HELP BUILD OUR ORGANIZATION'S CAPACITY TO END FOOD INSECURITY AND HUNGER AND TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR JOB GROWTH, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP, AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP IN WORCESTER'S LOWEST INCOME, MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES WHILE HELPING TO BUILD REC'S BASE OF TRAINED, ENGAGED COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS, MEMBERS, AND DONORS. THERE IS CURRENTLY A CRISIS OF FOOD INSECURITY AND HUNGER IN WORCESTER; THE CITY HAS A HIGHER OVERALL RATE OF POVERTY THAN OTHER COMMUNITIES IN THE STATE. REC ADDRESSES THIS CRISIS BY WORKING WITH LOW-INCOME FAMILIES TO CREATE URBAN GARDENS AND FARMS; TRAINING TEEN FOOD SYSTEM LEADERS; AND CONNECTING LOW-INCOME CONSUMERS TO LOCAL, AFFORDABLE FOOD THROUGH FARMERS MARKETS' AND BY BUILING A SUPPORT FOR A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO PURCHASE AN OFFICE THE THE REC AND SUPPORT REC WITH THE CREATION OF EN ENDOWMENT. THESE ACTIVITIES PROVIDE A PATHWAY OUT OF POVERTY BECAUSE URBAN GARDENING AND FARMING AND IMPROVING PRODUCTION AND ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, LOCAL FOOD CREATES JOBS AND SAVES LOW-INCOME FAMILIES MANY "FOOD DOLLARS," THEREBY INCREASING THEIR ECONOMIC CAPACITY AND SELF-RELIANCE. IN ADDITION, THE VISTA PROJECT WILL SEEK TO BUILD OUR ORGANIZATION'S CAPACITY BY HELPING RESEARCH, CREATE AND DEVELOP A CAPTIAL CAMPAIGN. THIS WILL BE THE FIRST ONE REC HAS DONE. THIS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN IS WORKING TO PURCHASE THE LAND AND BUILDINGS NEAR THE REC URBAN FARM. TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS BY EXPANDING OUR OF DONORS & SUPPORTERS. VISTAS MEMBERS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE GOALS OF THE PROJECT BY DEVELOPING SYSTEMS FOR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN GIVING, NEW CAMPAIGN DONOR RECRUITMENT, AND RECRUIT NEW DONORS TO REC. IN ADDITION, VISTA VOLUNTEERS WILL WORK TO INCREASE THE COMMUNICATION OF REC'S WORK THRU THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN IN THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE THRU CREATING TEMPLATES FOR E-NEWSLETTERS, SOCIAL MEDIA POSTINGS, CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE STORYTELLING AND STORY COLLECTION. CREATING SYSTEMS FOR IMAGE COLLECTION AND BEST USE PRACTICE STORAGE OF IMAGES AND STORIES. THE CREATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF THESE SYSTEMS OVER THE PROPOSED PERIOD OF SUPPORT WITH CLEARLY DEFINED WORKPLANS FOR STAFF, BOARD, AND VOLUNTEERS WILL ENABLE THE PROJECT TO BE FOLDED SEAMLESSLY INTO REC'S OVERALL WORK ONCE VISTA SUPPORT IS WITHDRAWN.