Regional Environmental Council (REC)

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Regional Environmental Council (REC) The Regional Environmental Council (REC) is a grassroots, non-profit, food justice organization YouthGROW employs 40 teens annually on two urban organic farms.

We tackle food insecurity in Worcester through three core programs:

UGROW (Urban Garden Resources of Worcester) (est. 1995) - A network of 70+ community and school gardens and urban farms involving more than 500 gardeners and farmers and 2,000 public school students and their teachers who grow fresh, healthy produce for their families and schools. UGROW network gardens receive free training and resources like seeds, compost, soil testing, seedlings, and garden bed builds and repairs. YouthGROW (Youth Growing Organics in Worcester) (est. 2003) - A year-round leadership development, education, and employment program for youth (14-18) from historically underserved Worcester neighborhoods. Youth learn to grow food and contribute meaningfully to their community while developing leadership, job, and life skills. REC Community Farmers Markets (est. 2008) - Three weekly traditional Farmers Markets and 16 weekly Mobile Farmers Market stops connect the three communities of Worcester, Webster, and Southbridge, where price and proximity are constant barriers to food security, with affordable, healthy, culturally appropriate, locally grown food from more than 25 area family farms and 5 urban farms. These markets provide opportunities for more than 5,500 customers annually to use their WIC and Senior Coupons, SNAP/EBT, and the Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) to purchase fresh, local produce. Learn more: https://www.recworcester.org/

This week, we planted a native perennial garden with Pernet Family Health Service !
10/22/2026

This week, we planted a native perennial garden with Pernet Family Health Service !

Visit the REC Farmers Markets at Beaver Brook Park & University Park this weekend 🎃🍎We will be hosting the Creative Hub'...
10/22/2026

Visit the REC Farmers Markets at Beaver Brook Park & University Park this weekend 🎃🍎

We will be hosting the Creative Hub's Mobile Art Van for Halloween crafts & the Clark Thrift Shops Clothing Swap at the REC Farmers Market at University Park! Stop by with some clothes to swap for FREE Family Fun, a new outfit, & to shop local, affordable produce 🥬🎨

All REC Farmers Markets accept SNAP, HIP, cash, & card!

Meet the vendors and organizations tabling this week:
Harper's Farm & Garden
Fay Mountain Farm
Coolidge Hill Farm
Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts
Kelly Homestead Apiary, Charlton, MA
Daphne's Tears Bakery Cafe
It's Kelewele 31
The Burncoat Center for Arts and Wellness
The Raediate Company
Worcester Indivisible
Crimson Courageous
4 Little Birds
Worcester Family Partnership
The Community Thrift Store

Don't forget to bring your empty home product bottles to the REC Farmers Market to refill at the Burncoat Center for Arts & Wellness Mobile Refillery!

To learn more about REC Farmers Markets, visit the website linked in our profile bio!

Shining a light on YouthGROW 💡Here at the Regional Environmental Council, we are proud to be a part of the celebration...
10/22/2026

Shining a light on YouthGROW 💡

Here at the Regional Environmental Council, we are proud to be a part of the celebration! YouthGROW - our urban agriculture-based youth employment program - is supporting youth across Worcester on the farm & beyond. Through this meaningful opportunity, we hope to empower teens to take part in creating a more sustainable future for themselves & each other.

Learn more about YouthGROW by visiting the link in our profile bio!

Choose Sustainability at the REC Farmers Markets at University Park this weekend 👗🧴Stop by to ethically source your next...
10/21/2026

Choose Sustainability at the REC Farmers Markets at University Park this weekend 👗🧴

Stop by to ethically source your next style or soap! We will be hosting the The Burncoat Center for Arts and Wellness' Mobile Refillery & a clothing swap in partnership with the Clark University Thrift Store.

REC Farmers Market at University Park
⏰Saturday, October 24 from 9:00am-12:00pm
📍965 Main Street Worcester, MA
🅿️ Parking in the Clark University Lot on Gates Street

To learn more about REC Farmers Markets, visit the website linked in our profile bio!
The Community Thrift Store

Did you know you can find fashion at the REC Farmers Markets?👗 Jibril Boutique is offering clothing & jewelry at the RE...
10/20/2026

Did you know you can find fashion at the REC Farmers Markets?👗
Jibril Boutique is offering clothing & jewelry at the REC Farmers Market at Beaver Brook Park (Fridays), and Nariem Jewelry is offering handmade jewelry at the REC Farmers Market at University Park (Saturdays). Be sure to stop by for something stylish & to shop fresh, affordable produce!
To learn more about REC Farmers Markets, visit the website linked in our profile bio!

Stock up on seasonal produce to store all winter long 🥦🫑Although farm fresh produce is available at REC Farmers Markets ...
10/19/2026

Stock up on seasonal produce to store all winter long 🥦🫑

Although farm fresh produce is available at REC Farmers Markets 10 months out of the year, you may want to save seasonal favorites from your favorite farm. Try blanching, freezing, or even drying additional produce this fall to reduce food waste & prepare for the coming cold.

Check out our website (linked in profile bio) for a full schedule of REC Farmers Markets to grab your winter storage essentials today!


PS. Always do your own research when preserving food in order to avoid potential problems with pests & spoilage.

Join us next week for Seeds & C***r with the Worcester Native Plant Initiative 🌱☕️Stop by to learn best practices for sa...
10/17/2026

Join us next week for Seeds & C***r with the Worcester Native Plant Initiative 🌱☕️

Stop by to learn best practices for saving seeds while supporting the planting of native species! Come for a half hour, or the whole time, to sip c***r & help create a more resilient urban landscape in Worcester.

Seeds & C***r with the Worcester Native Plant Initiative
⏰October 24, 10:00am-1:00pm
📍108 Beacon Street Worcester, MA
Register: www.recworcester.org/gardening-workshops

The Raediate Company will be joining us at the REC Farmers Market at University Park with chai & microgreens for the res...
10/16/2026

The Raediate Company will be joining us at the REC Farmers Market at University Park with chai & microgreens for the rest of the season 🎉

Stop by the REC Farmers Markets for a delicious beverage & to shop fresh, local food!☕️🌱

The Raediate Company: https://raediate.co/
Learn More about REC Farmers Markets: www.recworcester.org/farmers-markets

Visit the REC Farmers Markets at Beaver Brook Park & University Park this weekend 🎃🖌️We will be hosting Monano Art & Pum...
10/15/2026

Visit the REC Farmers Markets at Beaver Brook Park & University Park this weekend 🎃🖌️

We will be hosting Monano Art & Pumpkin Painting with Liz (pumpkins provided) this Saturday at the REC Farmers Market at University Park! Stop by for FREE Family Fun & to shop local, affordable produce 🎨🍎

All REC Farmers Markets accept SNAP, HIP, cash, & card!

Meet the vendors and organizations tabling this week:
Harper's Farm & Garden
Fay Mountain Farm
Coolidge Hill Farm
Southeast Asian Coalition
Misigaro Farm
JuahKumbah Farm
Kelly Homestead Apiary, Charlton, MA
Daphne's Tears Bakery Cafe
It's Kelewele 31
Bucket List Maple Syrup
The Raediate Company
Worcester Indivisible
Crimson Courageous
4 Little Birds
Worcester Family Partnership

To learn more about REC Farmers Markets, visit the website linked in our profile bio!

Shop local honey & maple syrup at the REC Farmers Market at Beaver Brook Park 🍯🍁Longtime REC Farmers Market Vendor, Tom ...
10/15/2026

Shop local honey & maple syrup at the REC Farmers Market at Beaver Brook Park 🍯🍁

Longtime REC Farmers Market Vendor, Tom of Bucket List Maple Syrup, brings his delicious maple syrup and candies to the market every other week. Kelly Homestead Apiary, Charlton, MA raises Honey Bee Queens and Nucs to bring you fresh honey from the hive every Friday.

Stop by the REC Farmers Market at Beaver Brook Park, Fridays 9am-12pm, to shop local honey, maple syrup, and more!
Learn More about REC Farmers Markets: www.recworcester.org/farmers-markets
Kelly Homestead Apiary: https://kellyhomesteadapiary.com/
Bucket List Maple Syrup: https://massmaple.org/maple-syrup/bucket-list-maple-syrup/

Address

108 Beacon Street
Worcester, MA
01608

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15087999139

Website

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