Launch of Produce in the Park in Mt. Pleasant Park
Fresh produce share from local farmers.
PROVIDENCE, RI (September 23, 2020) Today, City Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) joined the Partnership for Providence Parks spearheaded by Helene Miller and Tony Simon from the Friends of Mt. Pleasant Park to launch their fall “Produce in the Park Program” at Mt. Pleasant Park. The program provides locally sourced seasonal vegetables for the Mt. Pleasant and Elmhurst communities through a food share model. Over time and once the program is established at a park site, the program is designed to provide discounted shares to those on fixed incomes, like senior citizens, by offsetting the cost of the share from shareholders, which is well below market rate.
“I have wanted to do a farm share program in the neighborhood for some time,” stated City Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan. “I was thrilled that the Friends of Mt. Pleasant Park and the Partnership for Providence Parks worked to launch a farm share program in Ward 5. The pick-up location is accessible, easy to get to, and provides locally sourced seasonal fruits and vegetables from Rhode Island farmers. My daughter Meg has a farm share and loves it. I would like to see this program grow and become a year-round source for our local residents, and want to thank Tony and Helene for their commitment to Mt. Pleasant Park and the parks throughout Providence.”
The partnership developed out of the concern around the health risks of crowded public spaces and a desire to have a locally sourced, sustainable farm share program in the neighborhood. The program offers bountiful shares of locally sourced produce, pre-packaged and available for open-air pick up in a de-densified environment to keep residents safe and well-fed.