Astrid Tilton, the gleaning manager for Island Grown Initiative, said that last year the organization helped provide 600 pounds of venison to Vineyarders.
The Vineyard’s long-running food waste program is set to end Sept. 1, when it loses its pilot composting location at the Island Grown Initiative farm in Vineyard Haven.
In addition to providing meals at various camps, summer schools, libraries and the YMCA as it has done for eight years, Island Grown Initiative has added a “meal kit” initiative this summer to combat food insecurity.
School vacation has emptied the Island of many families this week, but you’d hardly know it at the West Tisbury library when lunchtime rolls around.
“At one point [Monday], there were probably 40 or 50 people hanging out in the community room, getting soup or getting soup to go,” said library director Alexandra Pratt.
Every weekday through March 1, the library is serving a free soup and bread lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for schoolchildren on break and anyone else who needs a hot, wholesome midday meal.
The Island Grown board of directors this week announced that senior director of programs Noli Taylor will become executive director of programs and outreach, with managing director Michelle Gittlen the executive director of operations.
Island Grown Initiative executive director Rebecca Haag, who spearheaded the creation of the Vineyard’s food equity network and IGI’s 2021 merger with the Island Food Pantry, has announced she will retire this spring.
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission this week unanimously approved the Island Food Pantry’s plan for a permanent move to 114-116 Dukes County avenue in Oak Bluffs.
A former musicians' workshop on Dukes County avenue in Oak Bluffs will become the Island Food Pantry's permanent home, if regional and town officials agree to the proposal by the pantry's parent nonprofit, Island Grown Initiative.
