Pictured in Photo:
Pictured left to right are WCSO Officer Bryan Almstrom, Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis, volunteer Luke Dery, Webster Dudley Food Share Vice President Mary Jane Sullivan, Board Member Vincent Silvestre & President James Alkire. A special delivery of fresh vegetables were recently donated by Sheriff Evangelidis to the food share program that were grown by sheriff’s inmate farming program located at the Worcester County Jail & House of Correction
Webster – The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office announced its 5th Organic Farming Season is well under way. Tended to by inmate labor and located on a 12 acre parcel of jail land, the farm is maintained and sustained all for under a thousand dollars. Recently, Sheriff Evangelidis stopped by the Webster Dudley Foodshare to deliver fresh organic produce grown by the inmate farming program including green beans, summer squash, zucchini & potatoes. In addition to the Webster delivery, over 5,000 pounds of fresh prison produce have already been distributed to dozens of local food banks, veteran groups and food pantries throughout Worcester County. “It’s a tremendous program that teaches inmates skills and feeds the community.” said Evangelidis.
Staff from the Webster Dudley Food Share were happy to receive the Sheriff’s donation as well. “Our mission is to do whatever it takes to ensure members of our community don’t go hungry. We are open 52 weeks a year, twice a week to help feed all that need it and today’s delivery of fresh vegetables is a tremendous help. We can’t thank the Sheriff and his team enough for this generous produce donation.” said Webster Dudley Food Share President James Alkire.
“For us, jail farming is a growing trend that helps so many. Inmates learn new skills and a sense of self-worth and dignity that comes from a day of farming work at the same time local food banks and those in need in our community benefit as well.” said the Sheriff.
