Harvesting Good Health: How the MetroWest YMCA Does Nutrition, Education, and Food Access
At the YMCA, food is more than fuel—it’s a way to learn, connect, and grow together. Our Nutrition Department offers counseling with a registered dietitian, cooking classes for all ages, and hands-on garden programs that teach people how to grow and enjoy healthy food.
“Our programs are designed to be budget-friendly, welcoming to all cultures, and based on national Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) standards,” says Maggie Lynch, RDN, LDN, Director of Nutrition Services. “We’re not just teaching nutrition—we’re teaching life skills that empower people of all ages.”
Behind all these programs lies a larger mission: ensuring families have lasting access to nutrition education and healthy food, enabling them to thrive.
This October, we’re celebrating Farm to School Month. It’s the perfect time to showcase how our gardens, food programs, and community partnerships create a food system that not only feeds families today but also empowers them with the confidence and skills for tomorrow.
A Farm to School Ecosystem
Our Farm to School Program, supported by the state’s MA FRESH grant, helps kids and families discover the joy of gardening, the science of growing food, and the fun of cooking. From composting workshops to bulb-planting events, these activities spark curiosity and appreciation for where food comes from.
But this learning doesn’t stop in the garden. It’s part of our classrooms, Family Dinner Nights, and cooking workshops too. Children in our Early Learning Center try new foods with the Dr. Yum and Plant Pals curricula. School-age kids join cooking and gardening lessons in summer camp and after-school programs. Families cook seasonal recipes together and join food access initiatives that make healthy eating possible at home.
“I am super excited to help educate people on where their food comes from and to share the peace, happiness, and gratefulness that comes with nurturing your own plants,” says Lindsey Bogott, our Farm to School and Food Access Coordinator.
Currently, the MetroWest YMCA maintains 32 raised garden beds across our properties. These beds provide fresh produce for our cooking classes and stock our on-site free market, the Nourishing Nook, at the Framingham Branch.
Recently, our team also joined the MA Farm to School Institute, a year-long professional development program run by Massachusetts Farm to School and tsne.org, which helps Massachusetts schools and early education teams build integrated and sustainable farm-to-school programs. The end of September marked their kickoff at Wright-Locke Farm in Winchester. There, they learned best practices for sourcing local produce and connecting it to what kids see in classrooms, cafeterias, and the community. They will continue to develop these practices with their Farm to School Action Plan throughout this year.
Food Access and Sustainability
At the MetroWest YMCA, we believe that everyone should have access to nutritious food—regardless of their background or income. By growing food on-site and teaming up with local organizations, we break down barriers to healthy eating and build a fairer, stronger food system.
Through our membership with Boston Area Gleaners—a nonprofit focused on farming and food security—we receive weekly deliveries of fresh, local produce for our programs. With partners like Project Bread and Loving Spoonfuls, we recover and distribute meals through summer lunch sites, mobile meal units, the Nourishing Nook, and our Changemaker Café. At the Café, anyone under 18 can enjoy a free meal at the Framingham Branch, Monday through Friday from 3:00–5:00 pm.
The results speak for themselves. In 2024, the MetroWest YMCA provided 142,472 meals to youth. That number represents thousands of local children and families who felt cared for and supported by their community.
We also offer catering services, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to hunger relief. It’s another way we’re creating a food system that feeds our neighbors and strengthens community well-being.
Celebrate the Harvest with Farm to School Month Events
This October, join us for fun, family-friendly events that celebrate food, flavor, and community:
October 8 | 11 am–1 pm | Framingham Branch (Main Lobby)
Taste a pear oatmeal dish, meet Lindsey, and take home a seasonal recipe and activity for kids!
October 9 | 4–6 pm | Framingham Branch (Main Lobby)
Try crunchy pear chips and chat with Lindsey about gardening. Seasonal recipes included.
October 11 | 10–11 am | Hopkinton Outdoor Center
Garlic & Seeds: Plant Now, Grow Later! A hands-on workshop on planting garlic and saving seeds.
Free for members | $5 for community members
October 15 | 4–6 pm | Early Learning Center (Lobby)
Enjoy spiced pear oatmeal and a take-home activity for you and your child.
October 16 | 5:30–6:30 pm | Hopkinton Outdoor Center
Fire Cider Workshop: Make your own batch of fire cider for the colder months!
$15 for members | $30 for community members
“At the Y, we know healthy habits start early and grow stronger with community support,” says Karley Besozzi, Director of Nutrition Education. “That’s why we create opportunities for people of all ages to explore food, cooking, and gardening together.”
By linking nutrition education with food access, sustainability, and cultural awareness, the Y is helping families eat well, live well, and thrive together.