DUDLEY GROWS

Dudley Grows History

In 2014, The Food Project and a committee of residents from the Dudley neighborhood of Boston came together to envision a neighborhood food system, the beginning of what is now Dudley Grows.

This visioning and planning process, facilitated with the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI) and Alternatives for Community & Environment (ACE), engaged hundreds of residents over a period of nine months. Out of this process, the Dudley Grows vision and priorities were established. 

Since 2015, the Dudley Grows coalition has brought together residents, neighborhood businesses, community development corporations, city agencies, and non-profit organizations to create significant changes in the neighborhood’s food landscape including:     

  • Three resident-owned markets and two restaurants now offering fresh, locally-grown food produce.
  • Community gardens built on two city-owned vacant parcels, now managed by resident leaders.
  • Five Dudley neighborhood schools participating in the Boston Public Schools/Shah Foundation school meals pilot.
  • Designs for a new commercial building on Dudley Street, on the community land trust, that includes space for a resident-owned cafĂ©, expected to be completed by 2020.
Dudley Grows Priorities

1. Build a resident-owned supply chain for great food in the neighborhood, and grow food businesses that create neighborhood wealth and jobs. 

2. Permanently secure vacant land for growing by interested residents, so that any people who wish to produce food for themselves or the neighborhood can do so.

3. Improve the food in our schools, ensuring that youth eating at school are well-nourished with food they enjoy.

4. Expand access to great food for lower-income residents, building creative new ways to make great food affordable to all.

5. Encourage physical development to support the neighborhood food system, advocating for food interests in planning, building, and community development.

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Reach out to dudleygrows@gmail.com if you would like to get involved.Â