GIVE

Give to MFFC on Giving Tuesday

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Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition (MFFC) is excited to launch our “Black Lives, Green Spaces” campaign to support a sustainable food system and green spaces for a healthier Mattapan! Our goal is to raise $3,500 to maintain the Edgewater Food Forest and Kennedy Community Garden to help us:

 

• grow fresh and healthy food (i.e. grape vines, strawberries, black walnuts, and more) that is free and accessible to the community.

• provide green and natural gathering spaces for residents to build community and be active.  

• continue advocacy with the Department of Conservation for completion and maintenance of a walking path along Edgewater Drive.

 

HISTORY OF THE EDGEWATER NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

In the Summer of 2016, the Edgewater Neighborhood Association (ENA) was formed to improve the built environment and green infrastructure along Edgewater Drive in Mattapan. A grant from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital allowed residents from 8 different streets to do more direct community organizing to address multiple vacant lots and a city wall built in the 1930s which barred the community from access to the Neponset River. 

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Community Members, State Representative Brandy Fluker Oakley, & Boston Mayor Michelle Wu Cut the Ribbon at the Opening of the Edgewater Food Forest in May, 2023. Courtesy Hope Kelley/Boston Food Forest Coalition

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WHAT WE’VE ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR

In a short amount of time, the ENA has already made great strides to transform several vacant lots into the Kennedy Community Garden and Playground, Edgewater Food Forest, and a walking path stewarded by the local community! In collaboration with the Boston Food Forest Coalition, the City of Boston Grassroots Program, and Restoring Roots Cooperative, the ENA built The Edgewater Food Forest located at 640 River St. The Food Forest, which officially opened in May 2023, is an edible park that grows mushrooms, strawberries, black walnuts and other edible plants that are all free for the community to pick and eat. The Forest also features a stage area and gathering space for community events.

 

In addition to the Food Forest, ENA has started work on a walking path along Edgewater Drive which the Department of Conservation and Reservation plans to fully construct starting in January of 2024.

 

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Edgewater Food Forest, Mattapan. Image Courtesy of Hope Kelly, Boston Food Forest Coalition

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WE NEED YOUR HELP

There is more work to be done to make sure that Mattapan, including existing residents and the influx of new migrant families have access to fresh fruits and vegetables and safe green spaces to be active. A history of systemic racism has created a food desert and disparities in access to green space. Mattapan has only ONE grocery store. And the current rates of hypertension, obesity, and diabetes are disproportionately greater than Boston’s overall rates. However, you can partner with MFFC through #BlackLivesGreenSpaces to ensure that we can advance our food and environmental justice work so that Mattapan can become one of the healthiest communities in the City of Boston!

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GET INVOLVED & SOW SEEDS OF EQUITY

There are many ways you can get involved!

 

DONATE-  Become a monthly donor or give a one time gift. Make a financial investment to support accessible green space and fresh healthy food to residents in Mattapan and neighboring communities.

 

PROVIDE IN KIND DONATIONS & SERVICES: Donate equipment and materials to MFFC to support our community garden, playground, food forest, and other programs.

 

PARTNER- Partner with MFFC to connect with potential funders, resources and information that would benefit our sustainability work.

 

VOLUNTEER- Volunteer your professional expertise to our food justice and green space initiatives.

 

For more information, contact development@mattapanfoodandfit.org