In partnership through the network, we are working towards increasing local food access:
Grow-A-Row for Neighbors!
We are asking local farmers, community gardens, and passionate plant-lovers to improve our local food system by growing and donating excess produce to our food pantries and access points!
Help us spread the word to all growers of local produce on the Outer Cape. Here’s how you can help!
- Consider designating a row or section of your garden for providing local food to families in need
- Donate excess produce and any uncut fruits and/or vegetables to any of these locations (hours below):
- Farmers’ Markets in Orleans, Wellfleet, Truro or Provincetown (May through October)
- Lower Cape Outreach Council through any of their nine pantries (year round)
- Community Fridges and “Crop Swaps” in Provincetown Library or Truro Library (year round) – open to the public
- Can’t commit to donating an entire row? No problem! Just keep this option in mind when you have an extra tomato or squash on hand!
- Not growing anything yourself? Purchase local produce from farmers markets or farm stands and donate it!
When and where can I drop off this food?
Farmers Markets:
Provincetown: Saturday 9a-1p (May through October)
Truro: Monday 8a-12p (June through August)
Wellfleet: Wednesday 8a-12p (May through October)
Orleans: 8a-12p (Summer Market only), 10a-12p (winter)
Food collected at Farmers’ Markets will be taken to the nearest community fridge (Provincetown, and Truro libraries), pantry (Wellfleet), or kitchen (Orleans). You can also purchase and/or donate funds for produce right at the market, supporting local farmers and your neighbors!
Lower Cape Outreach Council Outer Cape Food Pantries
Provincetown: Methodist Church, Wednesday & Thursday, 10a-2p
Truro: Council on Aging, Tuesday & Wednesday, 10a-12:30p
Wellfleet: at Grace Chapel, 25 Lieutenant Island Road, Monday 3-6 PM, Wednesday 4-6 PM, Thursday 10-Noon
Eastham: 3200 State Highway (Back of the Methodist Church), Monday 4-6pm, Tuesday 10am-Noon, Thursday 2-4pm
Orleans: Main Office, 19 Brewster Cross Road, Monday – Thursday 9:30a- 3:30p, Friday 9:30a-12:30p
Orleans: Main Office, 19 Brewster Cross Road, Monday – Thursday 9:30a- 3:30p, Friday 9:30a-12:30p
*More pantry locations and hours listed here.*
Community Refrigerators
*Provincetown Public Library: “Crop Swap”
Monday 10am-5pm,
Tuesday–Thursday 10am-8pm
Friday 10am-5pm
Saturday & Sunday 1pm-5pm
*Truro Public Library: “Grow-a-Row for Neighbors”
Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday: 10 AM – 4 PM;
Tuesday & Thursday: 10 AM – 8 PM
*Please confirm these library hours as they can change seasonally
Favorite Pantry Staples include:
Lettuce
Peas
Green Beans
Cucumbers
Tomatoes
Peppers-Bell & Hot
Summer Squash
Zucchini
Autumn Squash
Turnip
Herbs – especially thyme, cilantro, basil
Kale – Less than other veggies listed
Eggplant – Less than other veggies listed
I want to know more about these programs…
Sustainable CAPE & Farmers’ Market Coalition
Sustainable CAPE’s mission is to celebrate local food while inclusively educating about the health of our bodies, community, and environment. They accomplish their mission in a variety of different ways, including by running the Provincetown & Truro Farmers’ Markets and supporting Sustainable CAPE Farmers’ Market Coalition markets by implementing & operating local food access programs to offer fresh produce for all – including children, families, veterans, and those with financial or medical need. Read more about these programs here.
Volunteer with Sustainable CAPE.
Read about Sustainable CAPE’s history of Grow-a-Row for Neighbors at Edible Cape Cod.
Lower Cape Outreach Council
The mission of Lower Cape Outreach Council is to provide comprehensive assistance to those in need of immediate support and to encourage long term self-sufficiency. They sponsor 9 food pantries on the Lower and Outer Cape based in Brewster, Chatham, Eastham, Harwich, Orleans, Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet and the LCOC office in Orleans. These food pantries are open to everyone – regardless of documentation – and only ask that individuals register during their first visit by ‘self-certifying’ financial need.
Volunteer with Lower Cape Outreach Council.
Community Refrigerators
Community Refrigerators offer free, fresh produce for townspeople, and exist to increase local food access for all. People drop off fresh, uncut fruits and vegetables, and others pick up what they need. These refrigerators are open and available to all neighbors – regardless of financial need.
Thank you to additional network partners like:
- Truro Public Library & Provincetown Public Library – for hosting community fridges
- Soup Kitchen in Provincetown – for providing gift cards in their off season to stock the community fridges
- Helping Our Women – for sharing their Americorps VISTA’s time
- Massachusetts Grown…and Fresher! – for supporting Sustainable CAPE’s work with the farmers’ markets