Lil' Free Veggie Program
Imagine the sound of an ice cream jingle playing through the neighborhood...
A truck overflowing with fresh veggies. Neighbors coming outside. Kids excited to see what is available!
Okay, maybe people don't run after it quite like an ice cream truck...
But the joy is the same :)
The Lil' Free Veggie Program brings fresh vegetables directly into Nashua neighborhoods through one simple idea:
Neighbors sharing with neighbors.
Some neighbors have extra to share. Some neighbors could use a little help accessing fresh produce. Together, we make sure more households across Nashua can enjoy fresh, healthy vegetables.
Whether you have veggies to share, would like fresh produce for your household, or want to help make it happen, come join us!
Share Veggies
If you have extra to share, we make it easy!
🥕 Pick up one extra item at your grocery store, farm, or farmers market.
🥕 Share some of your garden harvest.
🥕 Bring it to one of our Donation Stations.
Then we'll do the rest!
We collect vegetables each morning and share them throughout Nashua with neighbors who face barriers to accessing fresh produce.
A bag of carrots. A few tomatoes. One extra item.
Small things add up.
Donation Stations are located throughout the city and are open during the harvest season.
Receive Veggies
If fresh vegetables would make a difference for your household, we'd love to welcome you.
The Lil' Free Veggie Program shares fresh, donated produce with neighbors throughout Nashua during the harvest season.
Everything is free. Just bring your own bag and choose the vegetables that work best for your family.
Together, we make sure more neighbors can enjoy fresh, healthy food.
Volunteer
Each morning during the harvest season, we collect vegetables from gardeners, farmers, and Donation Stations.
Each afternoon, we share them throughout Nashua with neighbors who could use extra support accessing fresh produce.
Volunteers help us gather, sort, prepare, and deliver vegetables throughout the community.
We couldn't do what we do without the neighbors who show up and help make it happen!
Support our Farm to Family Fund
Each summer, we purchase thousands of pounds of vegetables from local farms.
This creates a win-win:
🌱 Supporting local farmers during the growing season.
🥕 Bringing more fresh, healthy food into our Lil' Free Veggie Program.
Your support helps us add variety, increase availability, and share the abundance of our local farms with more neighbors across Nashua.
Feedback from our Farmstand guests
"I love seeing my children pick veggies they love or have never tried and then preparing/eating them with our family."
"I grew up on a farm, yet as an adult I am living in the middle of a city where I can barely afford my rent, let alone fresh produce. The farmstand reminds me of the happier days growing up."
Tengo una niña diabética y estamos tratando de comer más saludables todos para que no se sienta sola en esto.
"I have a diabetic girl and we are trying to all eat healthier, so that she does not feel alone in this.".
"The Lil' Free Farmstand matters for us a lot. I changed my life and connection with trash food because I saw the opportunity to have healthy fresh food on table. I lost my job and I decided for me and all my little kids I’m not going to give up ever love you guys"
"I love that it is close and a wide assortment. The grocery store is expensive and I have an EBT card but not a lot of money on it so now I can use it for the other necessary items like rice, pasta, and meat."
"Thank you for everything. I like going because the volunteers are very nice & happy people serving the community and making a difference."
"It makes a big difference because we are on fixed income and can supplement our groceries which we have to put on a credit card. Since visiting the stand I have learned to prepare meals that I never imagined making. I Google recipe ideas , add protein & I'm all set. Since visiting the farm stand I have been inspired to educate myself on seasonal produce, how it is grown & ways to incorporate different kinds of produce into our meals . We are truly grateful. TY!"
"Vida mais saudável"
"It is good knowing I can get fresh veggies when I don't always have the money to buy them."
Partners committed to bringing this to our neighborhoods
We are grateful for our Presenting Sponsor, Service Credit Union, for their support and dedication in helping this program thrive in our community, as well as to all our growers/shoppers that give making this possible!
We couldn't do it without everyone working together and for Dartmouth Hitchcock and the UU Church of Nashua in believing in this program back in 2020 when they helped us launch a pilot version during the pandemic in 2020 that continues to expand!
Neighborhood Participating Partners
Unitarian Universalist Church
NH Gleaners
Crane Currency
United Way of Greater Nashua
Presbytarian Church Nashua
Dartmouth Hitchcock
Hundreds of Lil' Veggie Givers
Crossway Christian Church
Lavoie's Farm
Lull Farm
Arlington Street Community Center
Hillsborough County Conservation
Immaculate Conception
Legacy Farm
Fresh Start Farms
ORIS: Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success
Kimball Fruit Farm
Greater Nashua Food Council
Nashua Garden Club
Congregational Church of Amherst
Click here to donate $5 a week and we'll buy from local farms for you!