WORCESTER, Mass. — What was once strips of black is now a field of green. The garden at the Worcester County House of Corrections has been feeding the community for 13 years now.
"A lot of people don't even ever get fresh, organic produce," said Sheriff Lew Evangelidis. "It's almost a rarity for people to get. So, to be able to bring the quality of the produce we bring, being organic, and being so fresh and being so good, it means the world to us."
This year's heat and humidity has only helped the sheriff's office garden this year.
What You Need To Know
- The farm and garden at the Worcester County Sheriff's Office has been growing fruit and vegetables for the region.
- The produce is donated to local nonprofits, food pantries, as well as veterans and homeless shelters.
- Sheriff Lew Evangelidis says they've more than doubled their output this year thanks to the heat and humidity this summer.
- Nonprofit El Buen Samaritano says this will help them feed more families and give them healthier options.
"It used to be about 500 pounds of produce being distributed to the community, whether it be homeless shelters, veterans centers or food pantries," Evangelidis said. "Everywhere. Used to be about 500 pounds a day. We're now getting up to 1,500-1,600 pounds a day."
Inmates spent part of Thursday morning picking a variety of produce like squash, eggplants and cabbage.
Inmate Ron Trentini says it's good to get his hands dirty and do some good for Worcester County.
"It helps to kind of think about things when you're out here," Trentini said. "Because it's really quiet out here, you're feeling good about giving back, you try to make amends, so to speak. It helps."
After Trentini and company loaded a pickup trucks worth of veggies, it was off to some local nonprofits for delivery. El Buen Samaritano was one of the beneficiaries Thursday. The fresh produce will help them feed nearby families who may not otherwise have these options.
"What it means is that our families get to live a healthy lifestyle, right," said the nonprofit's executive director Mari Gonzalez. "Food is medicine, and that's something that I always try to promote."
The produce comes at a time the nonprofit is feeding dozens of families throughout the week, as kids are not being fed at school.
"Food access is hard to find, especially with inflation," Gonzalez said. "The cost of living has gone up. Housing and food insecurity has been a huge conversation."
The produce is also used to feed the inmates. And if you ask Trentini how it is.
"Some of the cucumbers have been really, really sweet," Trentini said with a smile. "Zucchini, and particularly some summer squash, the yellow zucchini have been really, really sweet."