Slideshow 2008
Our Story
Since 2004 the FRESH Crew has engaged 35 New London teens in approximately 7000 hours of food security projects. An intensive 8 week summer employment program has been the basis of our year round youth program since FRESH began. “The Crew” is central in our work to: grow and distribute fruits and vegetables, run a Mobile Market in season through the neighborhoods of New London, selling fresh produce at affordable prices; participate in New London Farmer’s Markets; host a range of public celebrations, meals and educational programming, & maintain our Community Garden Center.
Food: Resources, Education, Security, Health in New London (FRESH) works to transform the food system from what it is to what it ought to be: healthful, universally accessible, sustainable, just and beautiful! A diverse group of community partners was critical to early success; with broad support from the region’s Food Bank and other Emergency Food Providers, New London Public Schools and City Government, and a range of child and community based not-for-profits, a constellation of practical food and health related projects was quickly created. We developed a Community Advisory Board (FRESH Advisory Board or FAB) in 2006. This board is made up of founding advisors, community members, partners, and youth, who steer FRESH and network the organization throughout New London.
FRESH is organized around collaborations to make use of existing, underused resources. Relationships are at the heart of our projects to feed people & cultivate stewardship, leadership and transformation in New London.
FRESH is funded through a broad range of supporters, including:
The F.L. Palmer Foundation; The Bodenwein Foundation; The Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut; The Wyomissing Foundation; The Vervane Foundation; The Perrin Family Foundation; The Liberty Bank Foundation; The Dime Bank Foundation; Heifer Project International; New England Grassroots Environmental Fund; Community Development Block Grant –City of New London; Connecticut Department of Agrilcuture and Department of Environmenntal Protection;
We are supported also to a large extent by the many local garden clubs, congregations, businesses and others who share our goal of securing a just, healthy and sustainable food supply for everybody!
And the revenue we are able to generate by selling our produce to the public.
Fiscal Sponsor:
Third Sector New England (TSNE) is the Fiscal Sponsor of FRESH New London. TSNE is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization whose mission includes providing professional financial management, accounting, and other administrative and human resource services to organizations working for economic and social justice.