February 2018 Groundwork Lawrence Newsletter!
Fresh Food Tuesdays - Sign up for CSA!

Want an easy way to get locally grown, farm fresh produce? Need it to be affordable and convenient? Aiming for some #healthgoals for #newyear #newyou? 

It's time to sign up for CSA!

The Spring Share starts soon, but there is still time  to sign up. CSA is your way to  enjoy locally grown, farm-fresh produce every week - hand-picked, packed and delivered conveniently to Lawrence. At Groundwork Lawrence, we're committed to make fresh food affordable for every family, and so if you are unable to pay in a lump sum before the season begins, there are payment plans available, as well as subsidized shares through the  Groundwork Share-A-Shareâ„¢ program. If either of these interest you, please contact  Maria. Dave's to register!  
Summer Jobs Recruitment Started!

We have begun hiring for our Green Team and Urban Adventures programs this summer, including Green Team Members and Leaders, Urban Adventures Lead Counselor, Counselors, and Junior Counselors. 

Check out our website to see all available positions and job descriptions. Please remind  your networks that Groundwork Lawrence has amazing summer job opportunities for teens, college students during their summer break, and anyone looking to make changing places, changing lives through youth development.
Winter Farmers Market - 5 More Saturdays!

We are proud to have launched Lawrence's first Winter Farmers Market, in response to the unprecedented increase in fresh food sales as a result from the Healthy Incentive Program (HIP). Unfortunately, we have received news that the Commonwealth will be suspending the program as of April 15, 2018.

We are saddened by this news because we have seen how HIP fundamentally changed access to farmers markets throughout the Commonwealth and in our community, for both those who receive SNAP benefits and for those who don't. We have seen how the dramatic increase in SNAP sales at Groundwork-managed summer farmers markets (1480%) revealed a resounding need for a Winter Farmers Market that serves and benefits everyone directly, regardless of income level. We worked closely with community members, farmers, and stakeholders to offer this market thus far.

Ultimately, through that consultation, the suspension of HIP means that in mid-April, we will be suspending the Winter Farmers Market. We will be launching the summer markets in July as normally scheduled. 

There will be five final Winter Farmers Markets on: 

| March 3 | March 10 | March 31 | April 7 | April 14 |

The Winter Farmers Market is conveniently located at 50 Island Street, Lawrence, MA from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. SNAP benefits recipients are still able to utilize HIP as expected at the markets. We hope to see you there. The Winters Farmers Market is supported in part by Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Foundation.
Upcoming Food Classes, Garden Workshops, and More!
 
We take food very seriously at Groundwork Lawrence, and we like to have fun when we do! Whether you're interested in learning how to make healthier and nutritious meals, interested in starting your own garden and growing your food, or want to practice your nutritious cooking skills through a fun club, there's a program for you at Groundwork Lawrence!
 
Increasing access to healthy fresh food is important to us. Our food programs, like these workshops, are supported in part by Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Foundation.
Earth Day / Comcast Cares Day April 21!

We are less than two months away from the biggest city-wide volunteer cleanup event of the year! Please join us and over 1,000 volunteers on Saturday, April 21, 2018 for GWL Earth Day / Comcast Cares Day here in Lawrence. Last  year across dozens of sites, volunteers cleaned parks and streets, built garden beds, and made the City of Lawrence clean, green, and beautiful! 
School Garden Training!
 
Groundwork Lawrence is hosting our 2nd Annual School Garden Training Workshop on Monday, March 5th, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm at the GWL office, located at 50 Island Street, Suite 101, Lawrence. 
 
This is a great workshop for educators, school staff, and community members to learn and share hands-on garden curriculum resources, practical gardening tips, and creative ways to integrate school gardens in the classroom. Please RSVP to Kelly, or register for the free training here.
St. Andrews Church Community Garden Info Session!

St. Andrew's Church, in partnership with M.A.N. Inc and Groundwork Lawrence, is creating a community garden for the Methuen Arlington Neighborhood. 

Residents of the Methuen Arlington Neighborhood are invited to an info session at the M.A.N., Inc. office, 141 Tenney Street, Methuen, on March 3, 2018 at 1:00 pm. For more information, contact Carmen at M.A.N., Inc. - 978-691-5645. 
Green Streets busier than ever!
 
This planting season will be the busiest season yet for the Green Streets program, as we are scheduled to plant 250 trees in the Arlington and South Common neighborhoods this spring. 
 
Read more Green Streets plans for this year, and please contact us if you are a Lawrence resident interested in receiving your own free tree or interested in a seasonal tree planting job!  
Check out our Calendar for upcoming events, workshops and volunteer opportunities.