Welcome Lil' Veggie Givers
Every veggie you donate matters!! We collect them one or many at a time and since launching in 2020 we have shared with families in need over 35,000 pounds of beautiful veggies!
How do I join?
If you are here you probably already have, but if you were referred here by a friend you can click here to become an official "Lil' Veggie Giver." Then we can give you feedback and share stories from the families you are helping :)
Where can I donate the veggies I grew or purchased?
We have Donation Stations placed conveniently throughout the community for you to easily donate vegetables. Even one veggie is important, when hundreds of people give it truly adds up!
Lil' Farmstand gratuito
Junte-se a uma lista crescente de Nashuas que estão compartilhando a abundância de jardins de verão uns com os outros. Comunidade crescendo para comunidade!
Tão fácil que até mesmo pegaremos suas frutas e vegetais doados extras na sua porta!
Do I need to sign up as a Lil’ Veggie Giver?
Yes, this is critical to us, so we know who is participating and can anticipate how many families we can invite to share in veggies each day. Your supply dictates how many people we can serve. We also want to keep you up to date and may have some specific request from week to week i.e. “carrots needed this week “ and toward the end of the year raffle off some prizes. Please add your name to the team of Givers by clicking here
Who can participate as a Giver?
Anyone could participate with the simple idea that those with extra veggies will share at a Donation Station and then Grow Nashua will distribute to low income parents and children in our community. If you'd like to post a flyer in your office or place of worship open PDF here or print little mini hand-outs pdf here.
Who can participate as a Receiver?
If you are unsure of where your food budget will come from sometimes this program is for you link to sign up. We connect with families that struggle with purchasing fresh food by running programs in the most socially vulnerable schools, the inner city urban gardens, and our partners at other civic outreach programs that Nashua offers. We also only distribute the vegetables in neighborhoods we know are the most under-served sections of the city where on average 70-80% of families are living below the poverty level. This results in all veggies going to families in need. To spread the word to those that are in need please share, print, or post any of the materials from this google folder link here.
When are the Lil’ Free Farmstands open?
During summer and fall harvest.
Which veggies can I give?
For the most part we can take all fruits and veggies, with the exception of those that wilt quickly like greens (lettuce, chard, herbs, etc.). For the full Veggie Donation List click here
When did the Lil’ Free Farmstands open?
The first began in 2020 with help from Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital and our friends from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua that hosted in their parking lot on Grove St. and have blossomed in capacity with the help of Service Credit Union and the Love Tito's Foundation's support over the last few years!
What families are saying...
"I love seeing my children pick veggies they love or have never tried and then preparing/eating them with our family."
"I grew up on a farm, yet as an adult I am living in the middle of a city where I can barely afford my rent, let alone fresh produce. The farmstand reminds me of the happier days growing up."
Tengo una niña diabética y estamos tratando de comer más saludables todos para que no se sienta sola en esto.
"I have a diabetic girl and we are trying to all eat healthier, so that she does not feel alone in this.".
Aumente nossa resiliência alimentar local
Se você cultiva alimentos, cultivar um pouco mais pode aumentar nosso suprimento local de alimentos frescos e nutritivos, bem como transferir parte da carga do sistema alimentar para nossas próprias mãos.
Se você não cultivar alimentos, convidamos você a doar e comprar de agricultores locais, o que, por sua vez, fortalecerá nossa resiliência alimentar local.
Food Desert s
Temos áreas em Nashua onde é difícil chegar facilmente a lojas que vendem alimentos saudáveis e baratos, também conhecidos como sobremesas de alimentos. Portanto, localizamos nossas fazendas gratuitas aqui.
"It makes a big difference because we are on fixed income and can supplement our groceries which we have to put on a credit card. Since visiting the stand I have learned to prepare meals that I never imagined making. I Google recipe ideas , add protein & I'm all set. Since visiting the farm stand I have been inspired to educate myself on seasonal produce, how it is grown & ways to incorporate different kinds of produce into our meals . We are truly grateful. TY!"
"Vida mais saudável"
"It is good knowing I can get fresh veggies when I don't always have the money to buy them."
Como funciona?
Se você tem um jardim, cultive um pouco
Se você precisa de produtos frescos, conecte-se conosco
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Famílias desfrutam de produtos gratuitos da barraca
Parceiros comprometidos em levar isso para nossos bairros
We are grateful for our Presenting Sponsor, Service Credit Union, for their support and dedication in helping this program thrive in our community, as well as to all our growers/shoppers that give making this possible!
We couldn't do it without everyone working together and for Dartmouth Hitchcock and the UU Church of Nashua in believing in this program back in 2020 when they helped us launch a pilot version during the pandemic in 2020 that has now become a community staple!
Neighborhood Participating Partners
Dartmouth Hitchcock
Unitarian Universalist Church
NH Gleaners
United Way of Greater Nashua
Presbytarian Church Nashua
Hundreds of individual Givers!
Crossway Christian Church
Lavoie's Farm
Kimball Fruit Farm
Arlington Street Community Center
The First Church Nashua
Hillsborough County Conservation Immaculate Conception
Fresh Start Farms
ORIS: Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success
Greater Nashua Food Council
Nashua Garden Club
Congregational Church of Amherst
Lull Farm