rare Charitable Research Reserve is helping to grow far more than fresh vegetables at its Foodbank Garden. With support from a Kindred Charitable Fund grant, the organization has expanded its impact through a dedicated Food Equity Steward position, helping ensure that more fresh, locally grown food reaches families while strengthening community connections and teaching sustainable growing practices.
Located on rare Charitable Reserve's Springbank Farm, the Foodbank Garden produces thousands of pounds of fresh produce each year for the Cambridge Food Bank. On average, approximately 4,000 pounds of vegetables are harvested annually, providing healthy, nutritious food for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity in Cambridge.
The Kindred Charitable Fund grant supports the Food Equity Steward, a role that helps coordinate volunteers, care for the gardens, and create meaningful learning opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds. The position plays an important role in ensuring the garden continues to thrive while making it an accessible and welcoming place for the community.
For rare, however, growing food is only part of the story.
The impact extends well beyond the harvest. "The gardens are about much more than just growing food," explains Taryn Jarvis, Food Security & Facilities Coordinator of rare Charitable Reserve. "They're places where people can learn from one another, build friendships, and share knowledge across generations and cultures."
That diversity is visible throughout the growing season. High school students work alongside senior citizens. Families tend garden plots together, while friends, university students, church groups, and individual volunteers all contribute their time and energy. Experienced gardeners share practical advice with beginners, creating opportunities for mentorship that happen naturally as people work side by side.
The Cambridge Food Bank is also an active partner in the project. Staff members regularly work alongside volunteers in the Foodbank Garden, strengthening the connection between growing fresh produce and distributing it to families who need it most. This collaboration helps ensure that locally grown food quickly makes its way from the garden into the hands of community members.
The Food Equity Steward helps coordinate these efforts, creating a bridge between volunteers, partner organizations, and the many educational opportunities the gardens provide. As food costs continue to rise, access to fresh fruits and vegetables can become increasingly difficult for many households. Community food gardens foster a deeper understanding of how food is produced and the care required to steward the land responsibly. "Food security is the foundation of a healthy community," says Jarvis. "Every volunteer, gardener, and child who visits the gardens at rare leaves with new knowledge and a stronger connection to their community and environment."
That philosophy closely aligns with Kindred Credit Union's commitment to supporting food security through the Kindred Charitable Fund.
The Foodbank Garden demonstrates how those goals can work hand in hand. Every seed planted helps provide healthy food for local families, while every volunteer gains new skills, stronger relationships, and a greater appreciation for caring for both the land and one another.
By investing in the Food Equity Steward position, the Kindred Charitable Fund is helping rare Charitable Reserve cultivate more than a successful harvest. It is helping grow knowledge, confidence, connection, and a healthier, more resilient community for generations to come.