TFP Youth Dig Up Farmers’ Markets Info
174 residents of Dorchester and Roxbury were surveyed by Food Project youth to learn how farmers’ markets affect shopping habits. It turns out that over half of those surveyed already take advantage of their local markets. High quality and good prices were part of their shopping decision. Another 30% polled would shop at markets if it were more affordable. This means that spreading the word about our Boston Bounty Bucks program is all the more important! The survey results made a big contribution to our understanding how we can help improve access to fresh, healthy food. Props to TFP Youth!

A New Leader on the North Shore
We’re very excited to announce that James Harrison has moved into a new role at The Food Project, taking the helm as our North Shore Site Director! Harrison previously served as our Director of Agriculture, and was a founding staff member on the North Shore. James replaces the North Shore site’s founding director Melissa Dimond, who left The Food Project to pursue a new career direction in the fall. While we miss her, we also share her excitement for her new career and take comfort knowing that she built a strong foundation for James and the rest of our team on the North Shore.

Local food Gets a Policy Boost
For more than a year TFP has been working closely with Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s office to establish the Boston Food Council! This new council represents a huge leap forward, as representatives from the public, private and non-profit sectors are working together to form a new citywide food agenda. Together we are working toward four major goals:

1. Increase access to healthy, affordable food, especially in low-income communities.
2. Expand Boston’s capacity to produce, distribute and consume local food.
3. Promote food as an economic development strategy.
4. Expand private and public partnerships to advance the citywide food agenda.

Music with a Mission! You’re Invited to a Concert for TFP
Please join us on Saturday, March 13 at the Longwood Symphony Orchestra’s spring concert, Nourishing Our Community Through Music. The event, at New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall, will honor and benefit The Food Project! You can learn more and buy tickets on our website.

Reminder: Summer Youth Program 2010 - Application deadline is March 19! Apply online.