LEOMINSTER — Thousands of pounds of fresh, organic produce grown at the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office have been distributed to food pantries, senior centers, community refrigerators and other charitable organizations throughout Worcester County this growing season.
Amongst dozens of other stops throughout Worcester County, the WCSO Community Outreach teams visited Ginny’s Helping Hand which is based in Leominster, Catholic Charities, the Spanish American Center, also based in Leominster, and other community organizations.
“Every delivery represents fresh produce going directly to an organization serving people in Worcester County,” said Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis. “At the same time, participating inmates experience the dignity of a full day’s work and the satisfaction of knowing their efforts are helping the same communities many of them call home. The rehabilitative value of this program is tremendous.”
Located at the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction in West Boylston, the Organic Farm spans more than 18 acres and produces approximately 40,000 pounds of fresh produce annually.
Favorable growing conditions during the spring and summer have resulted in bountiful harvests of zucchini, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, summer squash, cucumbers, and most recently, pumpkins and fall squash varieties.
Following each harvest, the produce is sorted and prepared for delivery to food pantries, senior centers, veterans’ organizations, women’s shelters, community refrigerators, and other local nonprofits. A portion of the harvest is also incorporated into meals served to inmates at the facility.
Beyond providing fresh, locally grown food to those in need, the program serves an important rehabilitative purpose. Participating inmates are classified as low-risk and nonviolent and typically work between 10 and 25 hours per week, depending on the season and workload. Through their involvement, participants gain valuable work experience while developing responsibility, discipline, and teamwork.
Since Sheriff Evangelidis took office in 2011, the Organic Farm has undergone several expansions, growing into the largest organic farm operating at a correctional facility in Massachusetts.
Officials said that the farm is one of several initiatives through which the Sheriff’s Office works to address food insecurity and support local families. Earlier this year, several organizations receiving fresh produce also benefited from a separate infant formula distribution initiative made possible through a partnership between the Worcester County Reserve Deputy Sheriff’s Association and the Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation.
For updates on the Organic Farm Program and its community deliveries, follow the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office on social media.
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