Comfort Food Community Launches Grow 2 Give: A Hands-On Volunteer Program Rooted in Farming, Education, and Community Impact

Comfort Food Community (CFC) is launching Grow 2 Give, a new, innovative program designed to expand access to fresh, nutritious produce through a cost-efficient, community-powered approach. Grow 2 Give will help to increase fresh food access across Washington, Warren, and Saratoga Counties by growing food from seed on donated land with the support of volunteers and funding from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

All produce harvested through Grow 2 Give will be distributed through CFC’s food access programs, directly supporting individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. 

Through the program, volunteers will select from six crops—tomatoes, winter squash, onions, garlic, potatoes, and carrots—and work in teams to help grow their chosen crop from seed to harvest. Participants will gain hands-on experience in essential farming practices including seeding, planting, pruning, harvesting, and post-harvest processing.

Grow 2 Give is made possible through a partnership with Thomas Christenfeld, owner of The Alleged Farm, who will provide land, guidance, and instruction alongside CFC staff throughout the growing seasons. 

In addition to fieldwork, volunteers will have access to a variety of educational opportunities focused on sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and food systems. Workshops throughout the season will include cooking with fresh produce, foraging, and sustainable growing practices. 

“Grow 2 Give brings people together around something tangible and lasting. It’s about learning by doing—getting your hands dirty, understanding the rhythms of the land, and contributing to something bigger than yourself,” said Christenfeld. “Watching volunteers take pride in what they’ve grown, knowing it will nourish their neighbors, is what makes this program so special.” 

Beyond growing food, Grow 2 Give aims to cultivate deeper connections between people, the land, and the food system for a stronger, more resilient community. 

An informational session will be held on April 20 at 5:30 p.m. via video call. Community members interested in participating can learn more and join the session by visiting CFC’s website: www.comfortfoodcommunity.org/event-details/grow-2-give-info-session