NORTH GRAFTON, Mass. — In the fight against hunger, a local nonprofit continues to its mark with the help of thousands of volunteers as another busy growing season begins.

The Community Harvest Project, which operates two locations in North Grafton and Harvard, has long focused on ensuring local, healthy food is more easily available for families.

On Wednesday, a group of volunteers were out in the fields planting kale and cabbage. Executive Director Tori Buerschaper said each year, more than 6,000 volunteers roll up their sleeves to help out.

“We bring people together to grow fresh fruits and vegetables for hunger relief,” Buerschaper said. “Exposing people to local agriculture, giving them a better understanding of where their food comes from, as well as a better understanding of the local food insecurity network and the need that we currently have.”

The Community Harvest Project’s modern operation has roots dating back to the early 1970s, when Hopkinton couple Bill and Rose Abbott witnessed their neighbors struggling to afford fresh produce. They launched what was then called the ‘Food for the Needy’ program, donating vegetables grown on their family farm.

All these years later, the mission remains the same, and volunteers continue to answer the call.

“To be able to be part of that, give back to the community and help folks out feels great,” said Volunteer Wendy Kane.

“It is so critical that the community come out and help, because they live off volunteers,” added Laurie Toolin. “They thrive, and this is how they can continue to move forward is because of volunteers.”

“When we come here, we spend about three hours, and it’s always satisfying giving back to society,” said Sagar Saxena.

In 2002, when the program became known as the Community Harvest Project and moved into its current location, volunteers managed to donate 3,500 pounds of produce.

Last year, they donated more than 320,000 pounds - roughly the weight of eight Greyhound buses.

According to the Worcester County Food Bank, between June and November of last year, the Community Harvest Project provided them with more than 68,000 pounds of eggplant, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, onions and apples - enough food for 315,422 servings of fruits and vegetables. 

No matter how much is grown, however, the need is still there — and the work continues.

“The fact that not everyone can experience both that joy of eating fresh, delicious local produce as part of their lives every day and also don’t get the health benefits of that is what really brings me back here every day,” Buerschaper said.

“Healthy food is so important,” said Volunteer Team Leader Michael Bebko. “I think it's something that's often overlooked as far as what you can get in the stores inexpensively.”

If you’re considering volunteering for the Community Harvest Project, Buerschaper said groups can submit a request on their website, and individual volunteers can show up on site for a better idea of the work involved.

On Saturday, the Community Harvest Project is hosting its annual plant sale fundraiser from 9 a.m. to noon at 37 Wheeler Road in North Grafton to support hunger relief operations.