During the fall of 2017, Ethos’ Resident Services Coordinator (a partnership with the Boston Housing Authority) noticed that residents of the Malone and Hassan Apartments were seeking opportunities to purchase any fresh produce at an affordable price. She decided to do some research to find out what was available around the city…and she discovered Fair Foods, Inc.
Fair Foods, Inc. is a nonprofit that started 22 years ago distributing surplus fresh produce to communities in need at multiple locations in New England. While the existing Fair Foods, Inc. sites were not convenient for the residents of Malone and Hassan Apartments, Ethos’ Resident Services Coordinator RSC learned that Fair Foods, Inc. was actually looking to expand their services to Hyde Park!
Fair Foods, Inc. now brings fresh produce to the Malone and Hassan Apartments every week. Resident volunteers sort and distribute 50-60 bags community members for just $2 a bag.
As a result, Malone and Hassan Apartments residents are now eating more fruits and vegetables – and are more engaged in their apartment’s community.
Peggy Willis, resident at Malone says she never used to buy English cucumbers but now eats cucumbers and salads all week!
Carla, a resident at Hassan, enjoys helping out with distributing bags and said she’s also eating more fruit and vegetables, “the quality is great and Fair Foods is great”!
Fair Foods is open to both residents of the Malone and Hassan Apartments and to the broader Hyde Park community on a bi-weekly basis:
- Every other Wednesday, from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm in the Malone Community Room located at 11 Gordon Ave., Hyde Park
- Every other Friday from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm in the Hassan Community room located at 705 River Street, Hyde Park.
All are welcome! For more information about Fair Foods, including a list of all $2.00 Bag Sites, please visit: http://www.fairfoods.org/
For more information on Ethos’ Resident Services Coordination Program with the Boston Housing Authority, please contact Meg Barhite, Director or Counseling and Support Services, at 617-477-6623 or mbarhite@ethocare.org.
