Food Justice Newsletter

By the Food Access Team at NOFA/Mass

Community organizing and collective work has the power to change realities for families, children, seniors and the surrounding neighbors. That organizing becomes extremely powerful when residents take up the charge to create a stronger food system for their families and neighbors.

The Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation is a grassroots community organization based in Dorchester, MA committed to developing affordable housing and fighting for racial and economic justice by building community power, especially of low- and moderate-income communities of color in Dorchester. Through developing resident leadership, organizing in the community, promoting economic mobility services, and advocating for local environmental justice, they build collective resident power to effect systemic change and transform society.

As part of their resident leadership training this year, Codman square created a Garden Training program for the cohort of resident leaders that come from all of Codman Square’s Properties. These training sessions were led by Apolo Catala, an Environmental Justice coordinator and the farm manager of Oasis on Ballou and covered several topics on organic growing. Topics included: companion growing, growing in-season, working with seedlings and seeds, pruning and integrated pest management.

Companion Planting: Tomatoes and basil planted alongside each other

On June 14th, the Resident Leadership training program and the NOFA/Mass Food Access Team joined forces to give a talk about soil health that centered on low-tech/no-tech organic techniques to improve soil fertility at Walando Homes. These demonstrations showcased how to add simple sources of calcium using leftover milk and eggshells, and how to add potassium as a foliar spray by soaking banana peels, and how to use coffee grounds and teabags as other amendments. Participants planted two beautiful, raised beds with eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes, seedlings that had been lovingly grown by Apolo.

Seedlings on a bench at Tapley Garden

Meet the Tapley Youth / Featured: Allie Agurrie

Get to know our youth leaders and hear their thoughts about organic growing, food justice and hopes for the future.

Allie Agurrie, is a 19-year-old student at Holyoke Community College. This is her second year with the Youth Agricultural Team, and she has moved into a leadership role this year.

Sister Anna: How did you get involved in the Tapley Garden Program?

Allie: In 2022, I worked at Tapley Garden as part of a youth program, where I gained valuable experience and truly enjoyed contributing to the community.  Coming back now in 2025 and seeing how much growth, care, and love has been poured into the garden is truly inspiring.  It’s amazing to witness how this space continues to thrive and brings our people together.

Sister Anna: What are some of the activities that you are looking forward to?

Allie: I am looking forward to continuing our trips to different community gardens and getting the chance to learn from each space, meet new people, and see the unique ways each garden supports its community and grows their crops. From these trips we’re able to learn & apply that into our own garden and help it grow in a different direction rather than what we’re already used to.

Sister Anna: What are some of your hopes for an improved food justice/food system in your neighborhood?

Allie: I hope more families have better access to fresh, healthy food and feel supported through our program. Everybody deserves access to fresh foods regardless of their income. Fortunately, that’s where we step in to help provide that to those who can’t.

Stay tuned to more from the Youth Agricultural Program at Tapley Garden!

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