Our mission is to engage individuals and communities in a whole-body approach to health. Through education, we empower individuals to learn how to connect and apply the science of self-healing. We are committed to building a culture of holistic community health, environmental resilience and social justice. We work collaboratively with stakeholders to develop scalable solutions that take targeted action in our communities. Our Grow Southcoast programming addresses health-related issues by creating and implementing programs, like Grow Education, that increase access to nutrient-rich foods, supports immune-building practices, and promotes environmental resiliency. After eight years of successfully partnering with the New Bedford School district to create school and community gardens, Grow Education is now partnering with 3 additional southcoast school districts: Marion, Wareham, and Westport. FoodCorps members will support and deepen our school wide culture of health by assisting us with our expanded Farm to School programming and evaluation.

Located along the Southcoast of MA along Buzzards Bay – Marion, Wareham, and Westport, and New Bedford are small coastal communities with picturesque harbors and beautiful beaches.

With a year-round population of 5,347, Marion is a quiet and quaint town with a beautiful harbor and deep connection to the sea. Marion boasts a strong sense of community with annual Fourth of July, Halloween, and Christmas Stroll festivities.

Directly bordering the Cape Cod Canal, Wareham is the last town in Southeastern MA before the Cape. With a population of 23,151, Wareham feels more like a small city than a town. Its population is diverse and counts an eclectic mix of locals who have been here for decades, seasonal visitors in town for the summer, retirees, tourists, fisherman, shipbuilders, and beachgoers. Wareham has a nice selection of local restaurants, and numerous neighborhoods, harbors, and beaches – each with its own character and charm.

As a Right-to-Farm community, Westport is an agricultural hub along the Southcoast of MA. The town received its name because it was the westernmost port in the Massachusetts Bay Colony when first settled in 1670. Today’s population of 16,339 lies midway between the Gateway Cities of Fall River and New Bedford. With miles of trails, rivers, and coastline, Westport is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream.

A famous old whaling port, the city of New Bedford continues to earn its living and pride from the sea. Today, New Bedford is America’s #1 fishing port with a large fishing fleet, spoiling visitors and locals alike with fresh seafood at one of the many restaurants. New Bedford offers a variety of attractions and activities to suit all interests including, the largest museum in America devoted to the whaling industry, the New Bedford Seaport Cultural District, the first free home of Frederick Douglass, and the largest celebration of Portuguese culture in the nation.

The FoodCorps members serving with the Marion Institute will be building upon the work that the Grow Education and Farm to School project has initiated. This has encompassed; the building of a garden at each school with the school community, planting and harvesting workshops in those gardens, and presentations by local leaders related to local agriculture, fresh, healthy foods and the environmental connections. The FoodCorps members will also help plan district wide taste tests and evaluation. Additionally, FoodCorps members will be introduced to the specific school community members in which they will be stationed, including the cafeteria managers and 3rd grade teacher cohorts at each school. Members will benefit from the relationships with (and knowledge of) these teachers in order to plan for the Hands-on Learning requirements. These learning activities will take place both in the classroom and gardens. Garden workshops will be supplemented through supply sourcing and the experience and credibility of the Grow Education program team. Grow Education has also begun to create schoolwide Farm to School coalitions who could support the Food Corps members in steps needed to build the Schoolwide Culture of health. The Marion Institute will be in consistent planning and communications with the members to shift the cultural expectations.