MetroWest YMCA Showcases Farm to School Leadership During Statewide Massachusetts 250 Celebration

HOPKINTON, Mass. (June 26, 2026) — The MetroWest YMCA welcomed state leaders, educators, farmers, and community partners to its Outdoor Center on Friday as the Healey-Driscoll Administration officially launched the 250 Farm to School Snapshots campaign, a statewide initiative celebrating the many ways Massachusetts schools and community organizations connect children with local agriculture.

As the featured Farm to School partner chosen to host the campaign kickoff, the MetroWest YMCA showcased how its innovative program, supported by funding from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, connects children and families with healthy, locally grown food while strengthening the regional food system. 

MetroWest YMCA President and CEO Richard MacPherson and Chief Operating Officer Jeanne Sherlock welcomed attendees, sharing how the YMCA's mission aligns with the three pillars of the Farm to School effort- Classroom, Cafeteria, and Community -  by creating opportunities for children and families to build healthy habits, strengthen community connections, and improve access to fresh, locally grown food.

State officials offering remarks included Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle, Department of Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Office for Food and Nutrition Programs Director Rob Leshin, State Representatives Kate Donaghue and Jack Lewis, and Massachusetts Farm to School Co-Executive Director Lisa Damon.

"We are excited to be celebrating these transformative Farm to School partnerships that help our youngest learners build healthy habits while fostering curiosity through hands-on experiences with local food and agriculture," said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. 

Following the speaking program, guests experienced the MetroWest YMCA's Farm to School initiative through an interactive tour that brought the three pillars of Farm to School—Classroom, Cafeteria, and Community—to life.

Classroom: Growing Healthy Habits

Led by Farm to School and Food Access Coordinator Lindsey Bogott, the first stop introduced visitors to the Outdoor Center's teaching garden, where preschool students participated in hands-on gardening and nutrition activities. Guests learned how the YMCA incorporates local agriculture, food literacy, and nutrition education into early learning experiences, helping children develop healthy eating habits and an appreciation for where their food comes from.

Cafeteria: From Local Farms to Local Families

At the second station, Director of Nutrition Education Karley Besozzi demonstrated how the YMCA transforms locally sourced and rescued food into nutritious meals and snacks for children and families across MetroWest. Visitors observed a volunteer food preservation party, where fresh produce was prepared for distribution through the YMCA's food access programs later that day.

The demonstration illustrated how the YMCA reduces food waste while supporting local farms and increasing equitable access to healthy foods throughout the region.

Community: Building a Stronger Local Food System

The final stop, led by Chief Operating Officer Jeanne Sherlock, highlighted the partnerships that make the YMCA's Farm to School work possible. Collaborations with local farms, such as Stearns Farm and the Framingham Community Garden, food rescue organizations, schools, and community agencies, such as A Place to Turn, expand food access while connecting families to nutrition education and other vital resources.

"We are honored to be included as one of the 250 Snapshots of Farm to School projects and ecstatic to host today's event," said Sherlock. "Thanks to funding from the Commonwealth, the MetroWest YMCA has expanded our food insecurity work by increasing access to locally grown foods, providing nutrition education, hands-on learning through garden activities, and preparing and distributing more healthy meals to children, teens, and families. This work strengthens our entire community by connecting local farms, community-based organizations, and the Y to maximize resources, allowing us to build healthier, more connected communities through local partnerships."

The statewide 250 Farm to School Snapshots initiative showcases innovative Farm to School programs from across Massachusetts, highlighting how schools, early education providers, colleges, and community organizations connect students with local farms through classroom education, school meals, gardens, and hands-on agricultural experiences.

The MetroWest YMCA is proud to play an active role in this statewide effort, demonstrating how community partnerships and local food systems can work together to improve health, build food system resilience, and create healthier communities.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities within our food program, please visit our Volunteer page.

To learn more about how you can support our work through the Annual Campaign, please visit our Ways to Support page.