Regional Environmental Council

?? Farmworker Awareness Week ?? Farmworkers are the backbone of our food system, working to grow, harvest, and pack the fresh, healthy food we all rely on. Though their work often goes unseen, it is essential. Yet, farmworkers and small farmers are facing challenges as federal budget cuts freeze critical funding for farm programs, climate-resilient practices, and research. These cuts hit hardest for BIPOC and small-scale farmers, who rely on these programs to sustain their farms and feed their communities. At REC, we are grateful for the farmworkers in our network who provide fresh produce at REC Farmers Markets, the community gardeners who grow for their families, and our YouthGROWers who practice climate-resilient growing in our city. We stand with farmworkers fighting for fair wages, safe conditions, and the resources and funding they need. This week, take action: support local farms, advocate for fair labor, and push for policies that protect farmworkers.

?? Get ready to grow with the REC Plant Sale! ?? Fill your garden with nearly 60 varieties of vegetable, fruit, herb, and flower seedlings—grown with food justice in mind! Our online store is NOW OPEN and will close in early April (or sooner if we sell out!). In addition to online orders, join us for in-person plant shopping on May 16 from 10am-6pm with Lady Fern Farm, Burncoat Center for the Arts, and Bearfoot Farm. Plus, get expert advice at our "Ask a Master Gardener" table! ?? Seedling pick-up will be on May 16 & 17, and your purchases support our mission—helping us donate over 10,000 seedlings to Community and School Gardens across Worcester. Shop now: https://lnkd.in/evM2wce4 Thank you to our generous sponsors: UMass Memorial Health, Open Sky Community Services, and Seven Hills Foundation. ?? #RECPlantSale #FoodJustice #GrowYourOwn

?? Fresh, Local Mushrooms Available! ?? We’re bringing nutrient-packed, locally grown mushrooms from the Mushroom Urban Farm Initiative at The Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts to our Mobile Markets! These delicious superfoods are grown sustainably on upcycled materials—good for you and the planet. ??? Get yours today at: ?? Coes Pond Village Apartments – 39 First St., 12:30pm-1:30pm ?? Elm Park Towers – 425 Pleasant St., 2:30pm-4pm Can’t make it today? No worries! Check our full market schedule and pre-order online at https://lnkd.in/eB6mv6Gf. #MushroomMagic #FoodJustice #ShopLocal #MobileMarket

?? **Join Us for a Lunch & Learn on Planned Giving!** ?? Thinking about the future? Learn how you can make a lasting impact! Join us for a Lunch & Learn Zoom session with Tony Dragga of Bowditch Attorneys as he shares insights on planned giving - a meaningful way to support the causes you care about while achieving your financial goals. ?? Date: March 25th ?? Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm ?? Location:** Zoom (Register for the link!) https://lnkd.in/eZsnCGDh Bring your lunch and your questions—Tony will bring the knowledge! RSVP today and take a step toward planning your legacy. #PlannedGiving #LunchAndLearn #LegacyPlanning #GivingBack

?? Happy Global Recycling Day! ??? At REC, we believe in building a healthier, more sustainable community—one where we reduce waste, reuse what we can, and take action to keep our communities clean and safe. ?? Join us for the 35th Annual Earth Day Cleanup on Saturday, April 26th! Last year, volunteers cleaned up 75 sites across Worcester, and we need your help to make an even bigger impact this year. Join the effort toward a cleaner, greener city by signing up as a Site Coordinator and registering a cleanup site in Worcester. Want to participate at an existing site? Volunteer sign ups open next week! ??recworcester.org/earthday

A huge thank you to our incredible funders for supporting our work! The Jack and Kathy Shields Family Foundation is helping us grow and strengthen our programs, the M&T Bank Charitable Foundation is empowering Worcester youth through YouthGROW, and the TD Charitable Foundation is investing in our team’s professional development. Your generosity makes a real difference in our community, and we’re so grateful to have you on this journey with us! ???? #FoodJustice #CommunitySupport

?? Summer Internship Alert! ?? Are you passionate about sustainable agriculture, environmental justice, and youth empowerment? Join us as a YouthGROW Summer Intern and work alongside incredible young leaders (ages 14-18) at our two youth-led urban farms in Worcester! Spend your summer: ?? Getting your hands in the soil at our farms on Oread Street & Grant Square Park ?? Exploring social & environmental justice through hands-on learning ? Supporting youth activism and leadership development This is more than an internship—it’s a chance to grow, learn, and make an impact! Apply now at https://lnkd.in/eYVZtMs6! #YouthGROW #UrbanFarming #SocialJustice #InternshipOpportunity #LeadTheFuture

?? Pre-Order Your Veggies for Easy Pick-Up! ?? Skip the hassle and pre-order fresh, local produce through our online store! Here’s how it works: ?? ORDER: Place your order online Thursday–Sunday for pick-up the following week. ?? PAY: Pay in person at pick-up—we accept SNAP, HIP, cash, and card. ?? PICK-UP: Choose from two Worcester locations. Stock up on fresh, healthy, local food—place your order today! https://lnkd.in/exTpziva #FreshFood #ShopLocal #HIP #SNAP

Fill your spring garden with food justice in mind! ?? You can shop nearly 60 varieties of vegetable, fruit, herb, and flower seedlings through the REC Plant Sale! Our online store is NOW OPEN and closes in early April, or as soon as seedlings sell out. This fundraiser enables us to donate over 10,000 seedlings to Community and School Gardens across Worcester, MA. Check out the store at https://lnkd.in/evM2wce4 Thank you to our generous sponsors: UMass Memorial Health, Open Sky Community Services, and Seven Hills Foundation. #SpringGarden #FoodJustice #WorcesterMA #UrbanGardening #CommunityGardens #Seedlings

?? Thank you to everyone who joined us last night for our Annual Meeting! It was incredible to share the great work we accomplished in 2024 and celebrate our collective impact. ?? Check out our 2024 Annual Report to see the difference we made together: https://lnkd.in/edT_YnT3 Here’s to another year of growing, sharing, and advocating for food justice! ?? #FoodJustice #CommunityImpact #RECWorcester