On Shift: Farmers’ Market
Ever wondered what goes on during a Food Link volunteer shift? For our third edition of “On Shift,” our Admin Assistant Darcy interviewed two volunteers about picking up food donations from the Arlington Farmers’ Market. Whether you are a long-time volunteer or a visitor looking to learn more, keep reading to get a taste of volunteering at Food Link!
Our past two “On Shift” articles shared stories of volunteers sorting food from Whole Foods and Stop and Shop, but grocery stores are not the only places where we collect food donations. During the Summer and Fall, Food Link volunteers pick up fresh produce from the Arlington, Lexington, and Belmont farmers’ markets every week. Today, I am spotlighting two Food Link volunteers who pick up food from the Arlington Farmers’ Market on Wednesday evenings to bring to Arlington EATS.
Meet the Volunteers: Jim and Milana
Image Description: Food Link volunteer Jim holds up a bag of Farmers’ Market corn while surrounded by boxes filled with fresh produce.
Several years ago, Jim began volunteering for organizations focused on food insecurity. After trying various shifts at Food Link, he discovered he preferred delivery shifts like the Arlington Farmers’ Market where he could pick up large quantities of food donation boxes. Last year, he began acting as both a regular volunteer for the Arlington Farmers’ Market shift and a fill-in for the Belmont Farmers’ Market.
Image Description: Food Link volunteer Milana holds a box of fresh tomatoes while standing by her car trunk. The trunk is filled with boxes of fresh produce.
Milana found Food Link as she searched for volunteer opportunities that addressed food waste and insecurity and could accommodate her work schedule. Since Food Link operates daily with shifts available from morning to evening, Milana fits the Arlington Farmers’ Market shift as part of her commute home from work. As she says, “On Wednesdays, I stop at the farmers market, and in a couple of hours, I can get eight boxes of fresh food to help those in need. It doesn't cost me anything.”
Meeting the Farmers
Before heading to the market, Jim first fills his car with empty banana boxes at the Food Link Hub. He then drives to the Farmers’ Market, which operates in the Russell Commons Lot in Arlington Center. The Arlington Farmers’ Market has existed since 1996 to support local farms and provide high-quality, healthy foods.
After arriving at the market, Jim asks four different farm stands how many banana boxes they would like to fill. Busa Farm and Markets, Nicewicz Family Farm, Kimball Fruit Farm, and Dick's Market Garden collectively provide about 20 boxes of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. When Milana arrives around 6:15pm, she walks around the farm stands to check if their boxes are ready or if they need more containers.
Image Description: Jim carries a box of tomatoes across the parking lot.
Once all the boxes are filled, Milana and Jim pack the containers into their cars. Milana’s favorite memories are when they collect so much food that they have to get creative with organizing the boxes. “It means it's a good day,” she expresses.
Donation Drop-Off
After a successful collection, the two volunteers drop off and unload the now-filled banana boxes at Arlington EATS. On some shifts, like the Arlington Farmers' Market, Food Link delivers food directly from our food donors to recipient agencies. On other shifts, we bring the food back to the Hub to be stored or allocated to multiple agencies. At Arlington EATS, Jim and Milana help weigh the boxes. With the boxes delivered and weighed, the shift is now over and Jim and Milana can go home satisfied with a job well done.
In concluding the interview, Milana urges, “I'd like to send a message to everyone out there who wants to help but doesn't know how. Go to Food Link's website and sign up for an online orientation and learn the many ways you can help. It's simple to start and you will love the work. It's easy but very rewarding!”
Image Description: Jim and Milana pose for a photo with an Arlington EATS volunteer. Boxes of fresh produce fill the background.
Thank you for making it to the bottom of the article! Are you interested in getting involved in our sorting and delivery shifts? We encourage you to sign up to volunteer on our Get Involved page. You can also subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media.
If you have any questions about volunteering, email us at info@foodlinkma.org or call us at 781-819-4225.