Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 50.14
Liaison Jessa Gagne
Submission Date April 22, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Stonehill College
IN-1: Innovation 1

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Bridget Meigs
Farm Manager
Mission
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Growing and distributing organic produce with student and staff volunteers using sustainable practices to our neighbors with limited access to fresh and affordable food.

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome :

The Farm at Stonehill was established to grow produce and flowers with and for the local community. 100% of its organically grown produce and is donated to organizations that distribute food to local community members living in areas designated as 'food deserts' (areas with limited access to fresh and affordable food). The work of The Farm is completed through the work of a Farm Manager, a small paid crew of students in the summer months and over 200 volunteers putting in over 450 hours of labor each year.

Beginning September 2015, organic produce from The Farm at Stonehill began being sold at or below market cost via a Mobile Market in the parking lot currently shared by The Family Center at Community Connections of Brockton and the Trinity Baptist Church. The Farm’s Mobile Market gives residents who do not live near grocery stores access to healthy eating options, and shares information about other efforts to increase wellness in the community. The Mobile Market also partners with other organizations like UMASS Nutrition Services to offer cooking demonstrations, recipes, and nutritional information to visitors.


A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):

The Farm at Stonehill grows and donated 15,000 pounds of of 90 different kinds of fruits and vegetables last season to over 3,000 individuals through Stonehill's community partners. Since its inception, The Farm has donated over 62,000 pounds of fresh organic produce. Stonehill students learn about environmental, economic and social sustainability as they volunteer in the production, distribution and preparation of food grown at The Farm at Stonehill.


A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of 5):
Yes or No
Curriculum ---
Research Yes
Campus Engagement Yes
Public Engagement Yes
Air & Climate ---
Buildings ---
Dining Services ---
Energy ---
Grounds Yes
Purchasing ---
Transportation ---
Waste Yes
Water ---
Coordination, Planning & Governance ---
Diversity & Affordability ---
Health, Wellbeing & Work ---
Investment ---

Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
---

The website URL where information about the innovation is available :
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.