Gaining Ground

Gaining Ground Gaining Ground grows organic produce for hunger relief with help from volunteers of all ages and abilities, who work and learn in our fields. For free.

We're also part of research studies to grow healthy soil systems through regenerative, no-till farming practices. Based in historic Concord, Massachusetts, Gaining Ground grows 125,000 pounds of organic produce for hunger relief with help from 2,500 volunteers of all ages and abilities, who work and learn in our fields. In short, we grow food and we give it away to people who need it. We work hard

to grow healthy soil and high-quality produce, provide an exceptional experience to each volunteer, serve the needs of our recipients and maximize the generous support of our donors. Throughout the harvest season, produce from Gaining Ground’s farm goes to food pantries, meal programs and shelters in Greater Boston and Eastern Massachusetts. Our approach is local and sustainable—most of our produce is distributed within 20 miles of our farm and within 24 hours of harvest. Some groups use our produce to prepare a free meal distributed to people who need it. Others give it away as part of providing free food to people in need. In addition, we are participating in regional and national agricultural research projects to improve upon and expand methods of regenerative, no-till farming to grow healthy, more productive soils. These methods allow us to better withstand extreme weather events and can directly mitigate climate change by pulling carbon out of the atmosphere and putting it back into the soil, where it directly benefits crop health.

Many thanks to the team from New England Donor Services, , for taking the time to lend a hand on the farm! Their support...
07/20/2025

Many thanks to the team from New England Donor Services, , for taking the time to lend a hand on the farm!

Their support helped to flip an entire field for a future carrot seeding, including broadforking, compost spreading, and mulching.

It takes many hands and hearts make this important work possible and we are grateful to do this together!

Gaining Ground is lucky to work with 15+ partner organizations, who act as connectors between our produce and communitie...
07/19/2025

Gaining Ground is lucky to work with 15+ partner organizations, who act as connectors between our produce and communities in need of it. These partners do incredible work, providing resources and services to their networks, and we’re grateful to them for uplifting our mission in their communities.

Thank you to House of Hope Inc., one of these amazing partners, for visiting us on the farm! House of Hope offers transitional and permanent housing, as well as workforce development and case management, to those experiencing housing insecurity. Thank you for your dedication to this important work!

To learn more about House of Hope, Lowell, visit their website, www.houseofhopelowell.org or click the link in our bio!

Happy Farm Friday - Food for Thought! At Gaining Ground, farming is more than growing food—it’s a mission towards comple...
07/18/2025

Happy Farm Friday - Food for Thought!

At Gaining Ground, farming is more than growing food—it’s a mission towards complete nourishment. This includes ensuring our recipients have the tools and knowledge needed to create a balanced diet, in addition to the fruits and veggies.

So how do we put food literacy looks into action?

Every week, recipients get veggie tip sheets—nutritional facts, storage hacks, quick recipes—available in multiple languages. This helps families learn to prepare and cook new vegetables, and keep them fresh longer.

Feedback from guests also help shape what’s grown. Favorites like cucumbers, jilo eggplant, and head lettuce replaced vegetables with lower interest to ensure we grow what our recipients want to eat.

And food literacy isn’t just what happens in the kitchen! Each spring, school groups explore the farm, learning about soil science and understanding where their food comes from.

By blending hands-on experience and education with fresh, free produce, we’re helping families nourish themselves.

Visit our website to learn more about food literacy, our mission, and growing practices, https://gainingground.org/growing-knowledge-alongside-vegetables/. Link in Bio!

A big thank you to the TJX Foundation, , for their generous grant to Gaining Ground! As a nonprofit farm, Gaining Ground...
07/17/2025

A big thank you to the TJX Foundation, , for their generous grant to Gaining Ground!

As a nonprofit farm, Gaining Ground relies on the generous support of individual donors and grantmakers to uplift our work. We’re so grateful for your partnership in helping to nourish our community!



Photo credit:

Thank you to our friends from Life Alive, , for joining us on the farm this week! They rocked a bulk beet harvest in the...
07/17/2025

Thank you to our friends from Life Alive, , for joining us on the farm this week!

They rocked a bulk beet harvest in the afternoon heat and helped cultivate the next successions for future healthy harvests!

We appreciate your continued support and commitment of collaboration towards our mission of hunger relief!

Want to grow with Gaining Ground? We’re hiring for a Development & Communications Manager to join our team! About the po...
07/16/2025

Want to grow with Gaining Ground? We’re hiring for a Development & Communications Manager to join our team!

About the position:

- Salary Range: $75,000 - $80,000 depending on experience
- Start Date: Position open until filled
- Reports to Executive Director
- Full-time, Year Round, Benefits
- Hybrid schedule, with 2 days/week required on site

The Development & Communications Manager is responsible for the administrative, systematic, and creative elements of an annual fundraising and communications plan.

Link in bio to learn more and apply today! https://gainingground.org/were-hiring-development-and-communications-manager/

Photo credit:

Garlic Harvest 2025! Last November, our phenomenal farmers and staff, and with the help of our Community Farm Team, seed...
07/16/2025

Garlic Harvest 2025!

Last November, our phenomenal farmers and staff, and with the help of our Community Farm Team, seeded and mulched this field of garlic. Today, after nine months of care, we harvested over 8,000 bulbs of this delicious and nutritious crop together!

We then hung the full haul under the pavilion rafters for a two month curing process before being distributed to our partner organizations.

During this time, excess moisture evaporates and slowly condenses enzymes creating optimal flavor, as well as a reduced risk of spoilage for a longer shelf life.

Many thanks to our community members for helping to grow this great garlic and continuing to support our hunger relief mission!

Huge thanks to , one of our partner organizations, for spending time with us in the fields and for all you do to nourish...
07/14/2025

Huge thanks to , one of our partner organizations, for spending time with us in the fields and for all you do to nourish community.

It’s always so special to welcome members of the Eastie Farm’s Climate Corps to assist with farm tasks and share in great conversation!

“Eastie Farm’s Climate Corps program empowers youth and young adults to create positive change in our community by building local food systems, cultivating coastal & community resilience, and creating more sustainable communities.”

We are so grateful to continue to learn and grow together!

Happy Farm Friday! The power of flowers continues on the farm! In addition to growing well over 50 varieties of nutritio...
07/11/2025

Happy Farm Friday! The power of flowers continues on the farm!

In addition to growing well over 50 varieties of nutritious veggies and herbs, we’re proud to grow and donate gorgeous cut flowers as well! These bouquets are offered to some of our partner organizations, as well as community members through our Food for Families program, created to increase equitable access to healthy produce for our neighbors experiencing food insecurity in Concord and Carlisle.

The blossoms spark joy with their colors and aromas, while also play a special role in promoting biodiversity and pollination at Gaining Ground.

Thank you to our Assistant Grower, Maddie, for leading our flower production with the farm team.

Special thanks to our dedicated volunteers, our high school farm team, and volunteers through the NCL organization, , who year after year have been instrumental in assisting on the farm in numerous ways, including harvesting stems, caring for the land with farm tasks, and helping arrange 115 beautiful bouquets each week during the summer!

Cheers to another great example of the importance of community engagement within our local agriculture systems.

To learn more about our mission and to find out how you may become involved, please visit our website! www.gainingground.org Link in bio!

Reminder! Submissions are open for our 2025 Photography on the Farm at Gaining Ground! Help us celebrate the connections...
07/08/2025

Reminder! Submissions are open for our 2025 Photography on the Farm at Gaining Ground!

Help us celebrate the connections between food, farming, and community — all ages and skill levels welcome.

Submit your original images on farming, gardening, nourishment, or food and climate justice.

Deadline is Thursday, August 8th — see the link in our bio for details! Or clickk on this link! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1U3if81H6xFJsJL6tAE_tBmyQbNAqdxhLwJxdcY8IuWQ/viewform?edit_requested=true&fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLaDNRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp-H1tOPJz8w7pZAR4JwU-l_5fa40OUKWmqgszsMNv9N9qb7bwrLhbSPlSFPG_aem_dCHxO9kycfq33lKNgGrGNg

A new report from the Greater Boston Food Bank reports that food insecurity among Massachusetts households has reached 3...
07/07/2025

A new report from the Greater Boston Food Bank reports that food insecurity among Massachusetts households has reached 37% as of 2024, a sharp increase from 17% in 2019.

That’s more than 1 million households across the state struggling to reliably feed themselves and their families with balanced, nutrient-dense meals. More than 1 million families across the state, forced to choose between paying for food, housing, healthcare, or other basic needs.

At Gaining Ground, we know that everything – physical health, childhood education, emotional wellbeing – starts with food. In nourishing those most in need, we can help create systems of dignity, care and resilience.

Visit our website, www.gainingground.org, to learn about our growing practices and how you can join our mission of sustainable agriculture and hunger relief. Link in bio!

Happy Farm Friday! Our fields are thriving in this summertime sun producing abundant harvests of nutrient-dense fruits a...
07/04/2025

Happy Farm Friday! Our fields are thriving in this summertime sun producing abundant harvests of nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables distributed to our partner organization!

Amongst our latest harvests are cucumbers, cabbage, carrots, beets, summer squash, broccoli, and celery. Plus the start of the tomato season!

Cheers to our farmers working hard and wise alongside our growing community, supporting good health and hunger relief!

Address

Concord, MA

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3:30pm
Thursday 9am - 3:30pm
Friday 9am - 3:30pm
Saturday 9am - 3pm

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