Support
Nuestras Raíces is a tax-exempt organization under 501(c)(3) of the IRS
Code and all contributions are deductible to the fullest extent allowed
by law.
GIVING COMMUNITY
When you give to Nuestras Raices, Inc. you are supporting an
urban farming community that works tirelessly to provide local, fresh, and
healthy foods for children and families. Nuestras Raices, Inc. empowers
low-income families to grow their own food and livestock while preserving and
protecting the environment, way of life, and culture.
We are living an unprecedented health crisis in America and for
the first time in many years, our children have shorter live spans than their
grandparents. Many of the health risks associated with obesity and sedentary
lifestyle are preventable, and here at Nuestras Raíces we have a plan for our
children to live long and productive lives. When working at the urban gardens
and at the farm, children get at least 30 minutes per day of vigorous exercise,
and through our school outreach they learn more about nutrition and healthy
eating.
SOCIAL IMPACT
Many of the health issues Holyoke residents struggle with are nutrition
related; primarily high rates of obesity, heart disease and diabetes. The
prevalence of cardio vascular disease in Holyoke Latinos is more than double
the rate for Massachusetts
residents. Furthermore, Holyoke
has the fourth highest mortality rate in cardiovascular disease and the third
highest diabetes mortality rate in the state. Our work in nutrition education,
food access at farmers markets and community gardens, and food production at
“La Finca” urban farm has impacted all members of the community.
2010 RESULTS
- Over
350 Elementary, Middle, and High School students visited the Nuestras
Raíces Farm for farm, garden, and nutrition education - In
2010 Over 5,000 individuals attended Nuestras Raíces cultural and
agricultural events, connecting with the Caribbean
culture and each other. - In
2010 3 farmers completed the Nuestras Raíces Beginning Farmer business
training, and joined 18 others to rent plots of ¼ acre up to a full acre
to grow vegetables and livestock at the Nuestras Raíces Farm. - 70
gardeners and their families harvested healthy food in our 8 community
gardens this year, saving over $1,000 each during the season. - In
2010 Nuestras Raíces sold over 1,000 lbs of produce to the Holyoke School
System to be served durning lunches - In
2010 Nuestras Raíces sold at 4 different local farmers market providing
fresh produce to shoppers with SNAP, new mothers with WIC and Seniors as a part of the Farmers Market
Nutrition Program.
CAPITAL
CAMPAIGN
Description of the project:
This project will construct facilities necessary to complete
the transformation of “La Finca,” our 27 acre urban farm into an agricultural
and cultural tourist destination. Nuestras Raices will attract visitors from
throughout the Connecticut River Valley and New England Region for a unique experience
of seeing, tasting, hearing, and participating in the culture of the rural Caribbean
and Latin America. These facilities will
include:
1. Historic Barn: complete renovations by adding a second
floor, internal and external wall painting, improved walkways, handicap ramp,
flooring, gutters, and classroom spaces.
2. Hospitality
Center: We will be
building two pavilions, a plaza,
community kitchen, farm store and bathrooms. These improvements will allow us
to hold dances at the plaza, healthy food cooking demonstrations in the
community kitchen, and a bountiful farm store providing fresh produce to the
surrounding neighborhoods.
3. Petting Zoo: We will improve pathways, animal shelters,
and visitor experience to our petting zoo. Many members of our community come
from rural Puerto Rico where they had pigs,
chickens, goats, and cows roaming their yards. The petting zoo at “La Finca”
provides a chance for parents and grandparents to show a younger generation
what life was like for them.
4. Infrastructure: We will improve the overall
infrastructure of the farm to facilitate a visitor experience including renovations
of stage area for music and dance performances, trail and road improvement
along the beautiful Connecticut River, parking,
and educational signage.
CAMPAIGN GOAL: $500,000
Give
Nuestras Raíces is a tax-exempt organization under 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code and all contributions are deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Send contributions to:
Nuestras Raíces
Attn. Hilda Colon, Interim Executive Director
329 Main Street Holyoke, MA 01040