​This is what happens when politics are placed over people.
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With the government shut down and SNAP benefits hanging in the balance, families across our region are left wondering how they will afford their next meal. Today, one hour before opening, a line of cars stretched outside the Northampton Survival Center, waiting for food, support, and a sense of stability during an already difficult season.

Photo Liz Denny

​Scenes like this are not abstract headlines. They are our neighbors, our community members, and families who work hard yet cannot bridge the widening gap between need and access. This is why local food drives and community donations matter more than ever.

As we enter the holiday season, there are real and meaningful ways to help:

1. Donate to the Bardwell Farm Food & Things Drive

• We are collecting food, toiletries, baby essentials, household goods, and small clothing items through the New Year.
• All contributions can be left on the back side of the farmstand.

2. Purchase a Thanksgiving Vegetable Box for a Family in Need

• Buying one—or several—directly supports a household facing food insecurity this season.

3. Buy a Bardwell Farm 2026 Calendar: Year of the Banana

• Every dollar of profit goes directly to local food pantries.

4. Contribute to Carrots 2 Carrots

• All funds raised go straight to food pantries in our area, ensuring they stay stocked during their busiest and most crucial months.

​Photo Rick Labrecque

When government systems fail, communities step up.

Together, we can bring hope, dignity, and nourishment to those struggling to make ends meet. Every donation - no matter the size - moves us closer to a community where no one is left without the food they need.

In a world where it can sometimes feel like everyone is rushing, competing, or thinking only of themselves, moments like this stop us in our tracks. They remind us that there are still good people - thoughtful, giving, community-minded people, who lead with heart and kindness.

To that anonymous donor, thank you.

To every single person who has given canned goods, toiletries, baby supplies, warm clothing, or pet food, thank you.

To those who have contributed in any way big or small - you’re proof that caring for each other is still alive and well.

Because of you, families in our community will have meals on the table, warmth in their homes, and a little peace of mind going into the holidays.

Want to get involved? Here’s how you can help:

Food & Things Drive (through Dec 30th)
Drop shelf-stable foods, toiletries, winter essentials, baby needs, and pet supplies at the back of the farmstand.

Thanksgiving Box Program
Purchase a box for yourself or donate one to a local family.

Bardwell Farm 2026 Calendar (coming soon)
Liz’s illustrated calendar - all proceeds go directly to supporting local food needs.

Donate to Carrots 2 Carrots
Every dollar buys local vegetables that go straight to area food pantries - nourishing families and supporting local farms.

Together, we can grow more than food - we can grow hope.

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed, and to those thinking about pitching in. Every donation, every can of soup, every bag of rice, every act of kindness adds up.

Community isn’t just a word - it’s all of us, looking out for each other.

How You Can Help
We’re running our Food & Things Drive now through December 30th, in partnership with our charity, Carrots 2 Carrots. All donations go toward purchasing local vegetables grown right here or nearby and distributing them to local food pantries and survival centers.

Items needed include:

• Shelf-stable foods: soups, canned vegetables/fruit, beans, tuna, canned meats
• Dry goods: rice, pasta, oatmeal, whole-grain cereal
• Proteins: peanut butter, canned chicken/fish, dried beans & lentils
• Snacks: granola bars, trail mix, nuts, dried fruit, crackers, fruit cups
• Cooking basics: pasta sauce, cooking oils, seasonings
• Beverages: juice boxes, coffee, tea, powdered milk
• Non-food essentials: deodorant, razors, shampoo/conditioner, tampons/pads, warm socks, hats, gloves, scarves
• Baby items & pet supplies: baby food, formula, diapers, pet food & supplies

Drop-off location: backside of the farmstand at Bardwell Farm.

Why This Matters
When SNAP benefits are interrupted as they are now local farms and food pantries become a lifeline. Not only does this support families in need, but it also supports our local agricultural economy. Every dollar donated helps buy fresh, regionally-grown produce that fuels both healthy people and a healthy economy.

By contributing to this drive whether you donate goods, purchase a Bardwell Farm calendar (announcing soon!), donate a Thanksgiving Vegetable Box, or give directly to Carrots 2 Carrots, you’re choosing to stand with your neighbors. You’re choosing to keep the food local. You’re choosing to ensure that this holiday season someone in our community doesn’t face hunger.

Thank You
From all of us at Bardwell Farm and Carrots 2 Carrots, thank you for your generosity, your community spirit, and your commitment to making a difference.

Together, we can grow hope 💚

Another big Carrots2Carrots donation this past week! Liz delivered over 200 pounds of fresh food, including tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, and more, to the Northampton Survival Center. Her car was packed so full that poor Austin (our farm pup) had to stay home this time… and let’s say he was not happy about missing out! 

Fresh, local produce makes a huge difference for families in need - and you can help too. Donating is as easy as visiting our Carrots2Carrots home page. Every dollar goes directly to putting fresh veggies on local tables. If you have the means, please consider a donation ❤️

This week, through our Carrots2Carrots program, Bardwell Farm donated 400 pounds of fresh, local produce - including tomatoes, broccolini, and cucumbers - to the Northampton Survival Center.

A special thank you goes out to Liz Denny for making the delivery and helping us get this beautiful food where it’s needed most.

Fresh produce isn’t always easy to come by for families facing food insecurity. Too often, fruits and vegetables are among the first items to be cut from the grocery list when budgets are tight. That’s why these donations matter - they’re not just boxes of food, they’re healthy meals, fresh flavors, and essential nutrients for our neighbors.

Through Carrots2Carrots, we aim to connect our fields to local tables, ensuring that everyone in our community has access to food that’s fresh, nutritious, and grown right here in the Pioneer Valley. Every pound of produce donated is a step toward a healthier, stronger, more connected community.

If you’d like to learn more about Carrots2Carrots or how you can support the program, stop by the farmstand or send us a message. Together, we can make sure no one in our community goes without fresh food.

This week, our Bardwell Farm mascot, Austin the doggo, made a very special delivery to the Northampton Survival Center - with a little help from his human, Liz Denny.

Together, they brought 200 pounds of fresh, local tomatoes straight from our fields to the Center’s doors. 

Fresh produce can make all the difference for families in need. Tomatoes are not only delicious, but they’re also packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and flavor that brighten any meal. For many households facing food insecurity, these locally grown tomatoes mean healthy meals on the table and a taste of summer they might not otherwise enjoy.

At Bardwell Farm, we believe everyone deserves access to fresh, nutritious food. Our Carrots2Carrots program helps bridge that gap, connecting what we grow here in the Pioneer Valley to the tables of our neighbors.

A big round of applause for Austin and Liz - proving that teamwork (and a wagging tail) can make a real difference.

If you’d like to support Carrots2Carrots and help us bring more fresh produce to local families, visit the farmstand or get in touch. Every carrot counts!

Video Rick Labrecque

We invited folks to join us for an inspiring literary event titled “Word to Table” on July 5th. The event featured the renowned poet Simeon Berry, who had received the prestigious Academy of American Poets Award. We were also delighted to have the presence of talented writers Elizabeth Denny, Olena Jennings, Sean Sutherland, Jaya Tripathi, and Anton Yakovlev.

“Word to Table” was not just a celebration of literature; it was an opportunity to make a positive impact. The event raised funds to support farmers in Hampshire and Franklin Counties of Western Massachusetts, as well as local food pantries that served our community, such as the Northampton Survival Center and the Center for Self-Reliance in Greenfield.

If you missed this chance to enjoy an evening of poetry and fun, there will be another in 2026. Until then, if you would like to contribute, please do so here. 
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Your support is still crucial
We invite you to continue making a difference by visiting our GoFundMe below or donating directly through the link here. Your contributions will help us further our mission and support those in need. Thank you for your continued generosity and commitment.
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​Elizabeth Denny, a local artist and former marketing research partner, found her true calling at Bardwell Farm. After moving to Hatfield in 2020, she quickly became a regular at the farmstand, picking up her CSA share and forming lasting friendships with the farm team.

Retirement, being a little too quiet, transformed into a vibrant adventure. When Bardwell Farm invited her to join the farmstand team, Elizabeth eagerly accepted. With her pup, she spent her mornings arranging fresh produce and engaging with customers, finding joy in every interaction.

Beyond her farmstand duties, Elizabeth has been collaborating with the farm on various community projects, including initiatives to address hunger and support small farms.

This year, Elizabeth has taken her love for the farmstand to a new level: she's created a stunning calendar featuring her artwork inspired by her days at the farm. Each month showcases a unique and colorful drawing, accompanied by a personal diary entry from her shifts. The calendar offers a behind-the-scenes look at farm life, capturing the essence of the farmstand experience.

Your purchase of this calendar will directly support the Northampton Survival Center during the holiday season. A $25 donation will cover the calendar and shipping, with a $20 donation made in your name to help those less fortunate.

Let's come together to make a difference in our community this holiday season. Purchase your calendar today and support a great cause!

A letter from Director of Operations Sam Guerin, Amherst Survival Center.

Hey Rick, Harrison, and the rest of the Bardwell Farm family and crew,

The Amherst Survival Center is round about halfway through our Farm to Pantry project funded by MDAR’s Local Food Purchasing Agreement—a great moment to share the enormous impact that you’re making in our community by partnering with us.

In the first 9 months of this project , the Amherst Survival Center’s Food Pantry has distributed over 1 million pounds of food directly to 7,000 plus unique individuals in Hampshire and Franklin counties. In fiscal year 2024 we distributed more than 1.7 million pounds in the pantry: that’s 30% more food than in our previous fiscal year, and 175% more food than we distributed in 2020.  We couldn’t do it without the local food that we receive via donations or purchase from farms like yours.

"Thanks to MDAR’s grant program, we’ve been able to invest in our local farm communities and purchase more than 100,000 pounds of fresh, local produce, meat, and dairy from 30+ Massachusetts farmers and producers and distribute it directly to your communities."

This local food has been instrumental in helping us bridge the gap to meet the record need that we’re seeing, as well as just being, well, incredible product. From your lettuces, to your broccoli, to your hearty greens, your produce has allowed us to offer consistency, stability, and choice, in an emergency food system where those qualities are often treated as luxuries. Our participants have been ecstatic to have the opportunity to choose local when they shop, and our produce displays have never looked more abundant. Your fresh onions in particular have been a real hit, enabling folks to choose culturally relevant foods: for some, the difference between a fresh onion and a storage onion helps to create a real sense of belonging. It's also just great to watch a family head out the door with a produce bag brimming with fresh green stalks. 

This project has really been an incredible boon for us, and we hope that it has benefited you as well! If there is anything that we could do to be a better purchasing partner, we’re all ears. Additionally, any input that you can give from the farmer side of things would go a long way to helping us contextualize the impact of this project on the larger valley food system (and to advocate with MDAR to try and keep a good thing going!) And, as always, our doors are always open if you want to swing across the river and see your stuff in action. 

Looking ahead to the dog days of summer, the fall, and onward, we’re excited to keep pushing towards making a stronger food system for all: farmers and the folks they feed.

Cheers,

Sam Guerin (he/him)
Director of Operations
Amherst Survival Center
www.amherstsurvival.org
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