Community-wide initiative helps turn backyard gardens into a source of fresh food for neighbors in need

QUINCY, Mass. (April 2026) — This growing season, South Shore residents are invited to dig in for a good cause. Through the long-running Plant.Grow.Share. initiative, local gardeners of all levels are encouraged to plant an extra row of fruits or vegetables and donate the harvest to neighbors experiencing food insecurity.

The program is a collaboration among Keohane Funeral & Cremation, Interfaith Social Services, Weymouth Food Pantry, and Holly Hill Farm—partners committed to a shared goal of strengthening the local food system while expanding access to fresh, healthy food.

The idea is simple: grow a little extra, share what you can. Donations support food pantries in Quincy, Weymouth, and across the South Shore, helping bring locally grown produce directly to those who need it most.

Now in its 15th year, Plant.Grow.Share. has engaged hundreds of home gardeners, families, businesses, and community groups. From backyard plots to workplace gardens, participants are helping turn small-scale growing into meaningful impact. Local organizations, faith communities, and civic groups continue to play a vital role through donations and volunteer support.

Education is also at the heart of the program. Holly Hill Farm leads outreach through its Community Outreach and Farm to Food Pantry teams, offering workshops, demonstrations, and hands-on guidance for growing food in spaces both large and small. In 2025 alone, the program donated more than 7,600 pounds of fresh produce and flowers to local food pantries and provided year-round volunteer opportunities—especially for teens.

Keohane Funeral Home serves as a convenient drop-off site for donations, with locations in Quincy and South Weymouth accepting fresh harvests for distribution to area pantries.

For those looking to get started or sharpen their skills, a series of free workshops will be offered this spring, led by Holly Hill Farm’s Jon Belber:

  • Hingham Public Library — Tuesday, April 14 at 5:00 p.m.
  • Thomas Crane Public Library, Quincy — Thursday, April 23 at 4:00 p.m.
  • Tufts Library, Weymouth — Monday, April 27 at 5:00 p.m.

Workshops will cover garden planning, season extension, and organic and regenerative growing practices. Attendees will also receive free packets of kale, bean, and radish seeds, courtesy of Keohane Funeral Home.

Whether you’re planting your first tomato or tending a full garden, every extra cucumber, pepper, or bunch of greens helps nourish neighbors—and strengthens a more connected, resilient local food system.