An Opportunity to Help Your Neighbors in Need

With federal cuts to SNAP benefits, rising grocery costs, and increased demand at local food banks, a full Thanksgiving meal isn’t guaranteed for many Rhode Islanders this year. Since 2020, Farm Fresh Rhode Island has worked to change that through their annual Thanksgiving Harvest Boxes, assembled for families in need across the state.

This year, Farm Fresh aims to donate 350 boxes, reaching nearly 3,000 families. Each box will be filled with locally grown vegetables, herbs and pantry items from Market Mobile partners who have supported the initiative for the past five years. The boxes also include a jar of cranberry sauce made by students in Farm Fresh’s Harvest Kitchen program and a recipe guide to help families prepare a festive holiday meal. 

Once assembled, the boxes are distributed through Progreso Latino and the Jonnycake Center, connecting Rhode Island’s farm network directly to community members in need. 

“It’s neighbors helping neighbors,” says Kellie Beretta, assistant director of development at Farm Fresh RI. “When you donate a box or purchase one for your own meal, you’re supporting our entire local food community.” 

Each Harvest Box includes:

1 pound Brussels sprouts – Ward’s Berry Farm
1 butternut squash – Ferolbink Farms
2 pounds carrots – Four Town Farm
12 ounces cranberry sauce – Harvest Kitchen
1 delicata squash – Schartner Farms
Fresh herbs (rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley) – Allen Farms Organic Farm
2 bulbs garlic – Local farm partner
1 leek – Zephyr Farm
2 pounds parsnips – Four Town Farm
½ pound shallots – Zephyr Farm
½ pound mushrooms  – RI Mushroom Co.
¼ ounce turkey rub – Sanctuary Herbs
5 pounds white potatoes – Schartner Farms
5 pounds sweet potatoes – Schartner Farms
5 pounds onions – Schartner Farms

Harvest Boxes are available for $75 and can be purchased or donated through farmfreshri.org/thanksgiving. Orders close Sunday, November 16.