The idea for the Westport Food Pantry Garden started a year ago 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.

So far this season (as of 9/3/24) we have harvested over 2,000 lbs. of lettuces, kale, swiss chard, zucchini, tomatoes, beans, and cucumbers. The vegetables are distributed at the pantry on Monday’s along with other available items. Tomatoes, bush beans, and summer squash are coming along nicely. In addition, we are planting for the upcoming cooler weather with vegetables such as spinach, carrots, beets, radishes, and delicata squash.

The learning curve has been intense, making some mistakes along the way but persevering nonetheless. Wrangling 200 tomato plants that are planted side by side in an 100 foot row has become a challenge, but we’re going to have plenty of tomatoes and a better strategy for next year. We’ve had some luck; the soil is healthy, we’ve had rain before we got the irrigation up and running, and we haven’t been bothered by deer or woodchucks yet.

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