Improving the food security and nutrition education of people with limited economic means. GPGP does this primarily by providing gardens and education so that people can grow food on their own, and benefit from the new connections made during the learning experience. In many cases also sharing a bountiful harvest as well!

1. grow i n g p l a ce s garden projec t
Growing Places Garden Project
teaching learning working
planting growing enjoying...
•
2009 a nnua l re vi e w

2. Growing Places Garden Project
• PO Box 17 • 75 Green Street • Clinton, Massachusetts 01510 • t: 978.598.3723 • www.growingplaces.org
D ecember 2009
D ear Fr iends,
With food security, the economy, and health issues on the forefront of American minds,
our commitment to helping people grow their own food and eat nutritiously has never
been more important than it is today.
Thanks to your thoughtful and generous support in 2009, we were able to serve almost
twice the number of families. At the same time, we were expanding our services and
enhancing our partnerships to increase the positive impact we have in the communi-
ties we serve.
Taking a huge leap forward, we:
• Built 52 gardens serving more than 128 people in 14 towns,
a 93% increase over 2008
• Grew our volunteer base by 69%
• Introduced an “eat right” program to build a strong foundation in nutrition,
cooking, and budgeting
• Piloted our container garden program to benefit apartment dwellers
and non land owners
• Forged new partnerships with several organizations who share our
concerns about community, health, and nutrition
• Received an “innovation award” nomination from the
Massachusetts Nonprofit Network
We are proud of what we’ve accomplished this year and are inspired by the generosity and
passion of those who make it all happen. Together, we are strengthening communities and
helping families to be more self sufficient, more economically sound, and healthier.
Best wishes to you and your family this holiday season.
Sincerely,
Jodi Breidel Cindy Buhner
Executive Director Board Chair

3. grow i n g p l a ce s garden projec t
t he s t a r t l i n g truth…
It’s hard to believe that in a country like America, the risk of hunger is
great. More than 37 million people, including 13 million children, don’t
have access to enough healthy food to thrive and 37% of all households
are at or below the poverty line1.
By providing raised bed gardens and nutrition education to families in
need, Growing Places Garden Project with the help from volunteers, do-
nors and local businesses is making a difference in Massachusetts. To date
we have helped more than 678 individuals grow food and eat healthier,
and we invite you to read on about GPGP’s activity in 2009.
“ The experience of planting seeds and
having them become beautiful and healthy
food was an amazing revelation for me on
our mission
every level. I saw how patience and hard GPGP’s mission is to improve the
work can bring rewards and how the life food security and nutrition educa-
force is both fragile and strong—but most tion of people with limited economic
of all, my garden gave me hope and the means. GPGP does this primarily by
sense that I can be a creator of abundance providing gardens and education so
in my own life.” that people can grow food on their
own.
Malaena Nahimas
GPGP Gardener 2009
Stow, MA GPGP gardens are:
• Personalized for each family to
accommodate dietary needs
and personal preferences
•
•
key highlights Environmentally friendly and
can be maintained without
200 9 an nual re v ie w
synthetic fertilizers, pesticides,
fo r 2 0 0 9 •
or herbicides
Designed to grow enough
• Built 52 new gardens produce for a 1- 4 person
• Mentored 26 second year gardeners household each season and
be maintained independently
• Grew volunteer base by 69% by the third season
• Forged new partnerships with
Share our Strength’s Operation Frontline
Leominster Housing Authority
Twin City CDC
Montachusett Opportunity Council (MOC)
Maynard’s Open Table
Minuteman Arc
• Introduced new programs to enhance
nutrition education and enable gardens
to be grown in confined spaces
Source: “Income, Poverty and Health Coverage in the United States:2007; U.S. Dept. of Commerce U.S. Census Bureau, August 2008
1

4. v is i b l e s u cce ss!
growing food in “tight” places …
container gardening
eating right … For some time, GPGP has wanted to bring gardening to apartment
growing knowledgeable consumers dwellers or to those with little access to land. Thanks to Connie Grabowy,
GPGP volunteer and Board Trustee through 2009 and the Leominster
In an ongoing effort to help people eat better and Housing Authority, we were able to pilot a program in 2009.
feel better, GPGP has partnered with Share our
Strength’s Operation Frontline to provide nutrition- There were eight participating individuals who were provided with
based cooking classes to current and prospective three containers each and despite a challenging growing season,
gardeners in the communities we serve. The 6-week, gardeners were able to harvest lettuce, toma-
teacher-led curriculum is designed to: toes, chard, peppers, cucumbers, pole beans,
• promote making healthy food choices, and basil. The learnings from the pilot highlight
even with limited resources some of the challenges of gardening in a con-
• teach lifelong cooking skills, practical nutrition fined space, such as the need for additional fertil-
information, and food budgeting strategies izer, more frequent watering, and the loss of soil
• provide participants with groceries at the nutrients. Modifications to the program will be
end of each class to practice the recipes made before a more broad rollout in 2010.
they’ve learned; Thanks Hannafords!
Our first class of students told us how helpful their
“hands on” experience was. Participants came away rebuilding neighborhoods...
with a heightened awareness about their eating hab- through community gardens
its, tools and strategies for making quick healthy meals,
and a renewed appreciation for connecting with their This year GPGP partnered with Twin City Community Development
families at meal times. Corporation (CDC) to establish a community garden in a troubled
neighborhood in downtown Fitchburg.
Through the help of our community partner, Cleg-
horn Community Center, each session included an To prepare for the garden, Twin City CDC’s Community Organizing
interpreter to accommodate multilingual families. Director, David Thibault-Munoz, worked with residents in the Elm
Street area to develop bylaws, recruit gardeners, and generate a
We look forward to rolling this program out to more renewed sense of pride and ownership in the neighborhood. Fitch-
families in 2010. At last count, we already had 17 burg residents worked side-by-side to prepare the land by cutting
people on the waiting list for the next session! down trees, mowing the grass, removing the brush, and getting
local officials and businesses to assist in their efforts. On the day of
the installation, a group of nearly 25 people consisting of GPGP vol-
unteers, CDC staff, neighborhood residents, and local officials came
together to build the garden and demonstrate their commitment
to building a better community one neighborhood at a time.
The Twin City CDC has already added a composting bin and plans
are in place to expand the garden in 2010 and secure grant funding
for an onsite shed.

5. grow i n g p l a ce s garden projec t
visible success!
reaching the kids...
foundations that suppor t a healthy life
Final plans for an After School Program are in place and
we’re excited to extend nutrition education and cooking
experiences to a wide range of children through the schools
in our service area. The program will introduce children to
more nutritious eating and show them how to make easy,
nutritious meals. GPGP will work with the children and their
families to offer complimentary garden programs.
our first
“fun raiser”
•
harvest celebration
200 9 an nual re v ie w
fun, fun, fun when the during a fall nor’easter
planting is done... On October 18, 250 friends, neighbors and business
partners gathered to celebrate food, nourishment,
knowledge, giving, and community for an evening of
fun at The Strand Theatre in Clinton MA. This year’s event
featured a delicious, locally grown meal, and a showing
of the critically acclaimed film Food Inc., a documentary
on some shocking truths about our food supply.
We enjoyed hearty fall soups, delicious salads and
warm apple crisp. All ingredients for the meal were
generously donated by local farms and businesses in-
cluding: Gibbet Hill Grill, Tailgaters Grille, Applefield
Farm, Carlson Orchards, Nashoba Brook Bakery, Berlin
Orchards, Bolton Orchards, and Dharma Harvest.

6. f e e d b a c k f ro m. . . “ GPGP’s passion for the cause is inspiring,
and volunteers walk away from every build
feeling reflective, as well as tired from a few
hours of good, hard work. The issues of food,
our gardeners … health, and the economy are on everyone’s
minds these days, and GPGP offers a small
survey results from gardeners but important solution. We are happy to be
We reached out to the gardeners we worked with in 2008 and asked
a part of this mini-movement! ”
them to share their thoughts on their gardening experience. Sarah Webb
Community Service Coordinator
Groton School
Overall, the gardeners fed their households and many shared their
excess produce with neighbors and friends. The process of garden-
ing was rewarding and many reported that they spent more time
outdoors, ate healthier, and got more exercise as a result.
• Average # of children per household 2.2
• % who ate fresh vegetables daily 63%
• Ate more vegetables than previously 91%
• # of gardeners who cooked more meals at home 100%
• Gardeners who spent more time outdoors 92%
• Gardeners who got more exercise 88%
our volunteers ...
survey results from our volunteers
Our extended family of volunteers is an incredibly loyal
and growing group that we literally could not do without.
To date, we have more than 230 volunteers who come
together each year to build the gardens and sow new
seeds of growth in the community.
The vast majority of our volunteers (83%) help us build the
gardens but there are a growing number of volunteers who
help with a variety of other responsibilities that include grant
writing, mentorships/team leaders, nutrition education, and
general administration.
• % of volunteers that had a positive
or very positive experience with GPGP 97%
• % of volunteers that plan to volunteer again 94%
“ My son and Igardening! aWe enjoyed
experience
had such wonderful
watching things grow, caring for
our garden, and trying new recipes
together! ”
GPGP Gardener 2008

7. grow i n g p l a ce s garden projec t
listen to . . .
our gardeners & volunteers
new mentor program
To help ensure the success of our gardeners and our organization, GPGP introduced two new
volunteer roles in 2009—Garden Mentor and Team Leader.
The Garden Mentor plays a key role in supporting families regardless of whether they are
experienced or novice gardeners. Each mentor was required to spend a minimum of two
hours with each gardener during the season to provide individual guidance, help establish
priorities and goals, and monitor progress throughout the growing season. Our gardeners
were thankful for the motivation, encouragement and the individual attention from their
mentors!
In an attempt to create a succession plan for the role that Kate and Cindy had tra-
ditionally played in the organization, we introduced the Team Leader. Each leader
•
takes responsibility for managing and coordinating all the details associated with
each garden installation and serves as the main point of contact for GPGP and the
200 9 an nual re v ie w
gardeners the day of the build. With the addition of this role, we hope to expand
and regionalize our operation so that we can serve more people year after year.
Many thanks to our dedicated mentors and team leaders
Cindy Buhner, Donna Mackie, George Davis, Kate Deyst, Daryll Clark,
Kathy Fiorentino, Linda Russell, Liz Strachan, Lynn Dischler,
Marlene Cote, Sonal Dhingra, Meg Bagdonas, Nikki Conzo,
Pat White, Shirley Boudreau, Tiffany Doggett, and Wendy Metz
“ Having the gardenSeniorin
my apartment in the
here
Housing Center has changed my
life. It has given me a purpose
and extreme satisfaction. I look
forward to next year. ”
Mary Jane,
Container Gardener,
Leominster Housing Authority

8. more about
our ser vices ...
Growing Places provides its gardeners with the materials and
expertise required to grow and harvest vegetables and herbs
from raised-bed gardens for at least two growing seasons.
In the first season, GPGP staff and volunteers prepare sites at
the clients’ homes, assemble bed frames, and fill them with
composted soil. A typical garden consists of three 4’ by 8’
raised beds.
GPGP brings seeds and seedlings, offers gardeners guidance
and assistance with planting, and gives advice on harvest-
ing, storing, and using the garden’s produce. GPGP makes a
strong effort to accommodate the gardeners’ dietary needs
and preferences as well as physical abilities.
In the second year, GPGP reconditions the garden beds, and
again provides seeds, seedlings, and technical support.
We hope to grow proficient gardeners who can maintain their
gardens on their own and in subsequent years continue to
grow fresh healthy food for themselves and their loved ones.
In the 8 years since inception, GPGP has served a total of 218
households and more than 678 people.
o u r h i s to r y. . .
GPGP was founded in December of 2001 by Cindy
Buhner and Kate Deyst. In 2008 Jodi Breidel joined
the organization as the first full time paid Executive
Director.
At the same time, GPGP received a multi-year
funding grant which provides declining levels of
support over three years to allow time to increase
fundraising capabilities. To that end, Jodi and the
Board have developed a plan that establishes
strategic priorities to expand GPGP services and
strengthen the organization.
year cumulative new # continuing from total households
total served gardeners previous year served yearly
2002 5 5 N/A 5
2003 25 20 4 24
2004 50 25 15 40
2005 82 32 20 52
2006 111 29 23 52
2007 139 28 22 50
2008 166 27 23 50
2009 218 52 26 78

9. grow i n g p l a ce s garden projec t
our service area…
M a s s a c h u s e t t s. . . Acton Lancaster
We service 22 communities in North Central Massachusetts Ayer Leominster
and recruit gardeners through relationships with other Berlin Littleton
organizations, via word of mouth and printed materials.
Bolton Lunenburg
Eligibility is determined by: Boxboro Maynard
• Strong need (household income is less than or equal to Clinton Pepperell
200% of the poverty level). In 2009 the total income of an
eligible four-member household was $44,100 or less.
Devens Shirley
Fitchburg Sterling
• Availability of appropriate gardening space. Groton Stow
• Commitment of 5-7 hours per week to tending a garden. Harvard Townsend
Hudson Westford
board of trustees…
• 200 9 an nual re v ie w
* missing from the picture is Dolores Thibault-Munoz B oard of Trustees
meet the Cindy Buhner Co-founder and Chair
Kate Deyst Co-founder and Trustee
2 010 boa rd . . . Pete Dumont Trustee
Due to the number of new trustees coming Lisa Hamaker Trustee * new FY2010 member
“on board”, GPGP kicked off FY2010 with board Maria Heskes-Allard Treasurer and Trustee
training to review roles and responsibilities and Linda Russell Trustee * new FY2010 member
GPGP’s mission, vision, and FY2010 goals. Vicente Sanabria Secretary and Trustee
Dolores Thibault-Munoz Trustee * new FY2010 member

10. f e e d b a c k f ro m. . .
tre a s u re r ’s re p o r t...
FY2009 Un-Audited Financial Statements
Presented on the next page are GPGP’s un-audited balance sheet and
income statement for fiscal year 2009 (October 1, 2008 – September 30,
2009). Overall, GPGP remains in good shape financially, entering FY2010
with $94,000 in the bank and no liabilities.
Revenues for FY2009 were $144,000 compared to expenses of
$106,500 leaving a cash surplus of $37,500. However, it is important
to note that $25,000 of a capacity building grant GPGP received in
FY2009 was reimbursement for expenses incurred and paid out in
FY2008. Consequently, if GPGP maintained its books on an accrual
basis rather than a cash basis, the surplus would have only been
$12,500.
Compared with FY2008, GPGP’s expenses were significantly higher
as a result of our continued transition from a volunteer staff to an
organization led by a paid full-time Executive Director. In the first full
year of this transition, GPGP has increased its outreach to 52 families,
nearly double the number of new families served in any one season
since inception. Additionally, GPGP has added on a new container
garden program as well as nutrition education programs to families
and schools within our service area. Continued growth is expected
in FY2010.
Projected expenses for FY2010 are $127,000. The increase in expenses
is primarily driven by the addition of a part time program coordina-
tor. On the revenue side, GPGP will receive $50,000 from a multiyear
capacity building grant. Additionally, as of the writing of this report,
GPGP had received over $20,800 in other donations and grants leav-
ing a current fundraising gap of about $56,000.

11. grow i n g p l a ce s garden projec t
s t a te m e n t o f activities ...
INCOME 2009 2008 change
donations 44,505* 32,869 11,636
grant income 99,620 27,791 71,829
interest income 85 104 (20)
total income $144,210 $60,764 $83,446
EXPENSES
administrative 19,747 34,319 (14,573)
fundraising 3,822 1,517 2,305
program 82,462 35,391 47,072
total expenses $106,032 $71,227 $34,804
change in net assets $38,178 ($10,464) $48,642
* includes donations from Board and Staff
b a l a n ce s h e et...
2009 2008 Change
CASH 94,220 54,966 39,254
fixed assets 9,343 9,343 0
accumulated
depreciation 7,342 (5,735) 1,607
net fixed assets 2,001 3,608 1,607
total assets $96,321 $58,574 $37,747
•
2009 a nn ua l re v i e w
total liabilities 0 0 0
total net assets $96,321 $58,574 $37,747

12. wi t h o u t a l l o f you…
individua l s & fo u n d a t i o n s . .
David and Jane Andrew Rick High & Andy Perkins
businesses &
Anonymous Home Gardening Project Foundation o rg a n i z a t i o n s
Margaret Bagdonas Beth Klarman
Jodi and Dan Breidel Jeffrey C Koechling Applefield Farms
Pamela Brown Sarah Lemaire Avidia Bank
Caryl & Nicholas Browse Pat Loverro Bare Hill Studios Fiber Loft
Cindy Buhner Donna Mackie Bay Leaf Studio
Frank & Jen Buquicchio Lorena Mandozzi Beremco, Inc. Property Management
Magdaline Caradimitropoulo Linda Mara Berlin Orchards
Lori and Mark Champine Lynda Moulton Bolton Orchards
Linda Chuss Eli and Barbara Berger Ofek Carlson Orchards, Inc.
Diane L. Cordner N. Scott & Deborah Pierce Central Avenue Auto Repair
David Craft Mark Price CitySprouts
Jo Crawford Ruthann Prifty Clinton Savings Bank
Crossroads Community Foundation Nancy Reifenstein Congregational Church of Harvard
Mary Cutler Alice G. Rennie Dharma Harvest, Inc.
Dancing Tides Foundation Linda Russell Dunn & Co.
D’Eramo Family Gabriella Salerno DWD Restaurant Group Inc DBA
Penny Dickson Georgia & Liang Li-Shiang Sassen Enterprise Bank Fitchburg Branch
Lynn and Richard Dischler Dewey & Sherrill Sasser Enterprise Bank Leominster Branch
John & Mary Deyst Vicente Sanabria Fallon Community Health Plan
Kate Deyst and Ken Nickerson Paul Schimmel FCUC Harvard
Pete Dumont Andrea Silbert FEDCO Seeds Inc.
Eos Foundation Carol Ann Smallwood Forgione Lawn Care
Alan Ferry Stephen Sashihara Fruitlands Museum, Inc.
Mathieu Frankel Dolores Thibault-Munoz Gibbet Hill Grill
Bob Gayles Salina A. & Evan D. Thomas Hannaford Supermarkets
Risa Goldman Susan and Edward Toll Harvard Women’s Club
Connie Grabowy Shirley Vasington Harvard Ecumenical Youth Group
Green Leaf Foundation Peter Verheyen Hillside Garage Inc.
Lisa Hamaker Robert & Laura Watkins
Bart & Carol Hanlon Heidi Wharton
Jeffrey & Ragnild Harris Patricia White
Suzanne Hays Alice Williams
Peter Wyman
Mary Ysueta

13. grow i n g p l a c e s garden projec t
w i t h o u t a l l of you…
b usiness e s & vo l u n te e r s - cont ’d vo l u n te e r s - cont ’d
organizations - cont’d
Cindy Cadoret Joan Finger
Kaliday Marketing Martha Caisapanta Kathleen Fiorentino
Kotlarz & Associates Tracy Calabresi Barbara Frank
Legacy Publishing Diane Callan Cathy Frary
Leominster Credit Union Agata Berenice Calvo Pamela Frederick
Mathworks
Tony Capestany Beth Fredrickson
Middlesex Savings Bank
Dena Caradimitropoulo Charles Garman
Moore’s Lumber
Nashoba Brooks School of Concord Kathy Chadwick Carolyn Gillespie
Nashoba Brook Bakery Champine Family Alan Gilson
Nypro Inc. Jessica and Lindsay Cherubino Risa Goldman
R.A. Hall & Co. Jennifer Chesworth Silvia Mabel Gonzalez
Rollstone Bank & Trust Sharon Chiang Stacey Gordon
Scentsibilities Darryl Clark Connie Grabowy
Shaw’s Supermarket Bob Cleary Elizabeth Hall
Sterling Marketing, Inc. Ashley Close
Tailgaters Grille Lisa Hamaker
Evan Cochrane Laura Harrington
TD Banknorth
Martin Cohen Jeffrey Harris
The Barn School
The Black Sheep Marcia Conants Janice Hart
The Polus Center for Social & Economic Nikki Conzo
Paula Hedrick
Development Elizabeth Cooper
Elizabeth Heichler
The Wine Merchant Marlene Cote
Thomas Hermley
Vernier Design Inc. David Craft
John Heudorfer
Virginia Thurston Healing Garden Stephanie Crisp
W. Boylston 5K Race Committee Clayton Hobart
J. Marsha Croyle
Westward Orchards Farm Store Patricia Hornridge-King
George Davis
•
Christine House
volunte ers... Piale De
Gretchen Houseman
2009 a nnua l re vi e w
Denali Delmar
Amy Hsu
Applewild School James DeLuco
Susan Dempsey
Linda Hughes
Carolyn Albrycht
Jane Andrew Jane Densmore Fredrica Introne
Amy Armstrong Debra D’Eramo Sue Jackson
Ben Ash Joseph D’Eramo Steve Jacobs
Meg Bagdonas Danielle Descoteaux Polly Jenkins-Man
Anna Barker Jan Johnson
Meredith DeWitt
Maureen Barr Melinda Jordan
Sharon Barrett Sonal Dhingra
Amy Beaulieu Lynn Dischler Liza Judge
Nicole Begin Tiffany Doggett Reggie Jugovich
Karyn Bender Pete Dumont Juniper Networks
Bill Berthoud Joan Eliyesil Dennis Karwowski
Diane Bishop Kathy Elkind Ron Kearns
Christina Blake Sharon and Bill Kerns
Becky Endicott
Joe Bongiardina
Rick Fadden Becca Kerr
Shirley Boudreau
Sharon Briggs Vince Farrell Jackie Keshian
Breidel Family Ginger Fennel Helen Kilian
Jennifer Burns Craig Ferrere Dara Kilpi

14. wi t h o u t a l l of you…
voluntee r s - cont’d
Laura & Alexander Kischitz Russ & Olya Russo
Masami Knox Mark Saydah
Andrea Koumjian Llewelyn Sherrod
Jean Kowal Susan Shipley
Kristina Kronauer Luci Simmons
Ben Landry Christina Smith
Marie LeBlanc Josh Solomon
John and Susan Lee Liz Strachan
Sarah Lemaire Gail Sun
Patricia Loverro Hellie Swartwood
Jeff Lucas Vicki Tardif
Amanda Mack Swapna Telaprolu
Donna Mackie Jan Teresko
Marina MacNeil Dolores Thibault-Munoz
Jennifer Maggiolino David Thibault-Munoz
Sarika Maheshwari Jesus Torres
Rosemary Maldonado Polly Vanasse
Marian Mallioux Peter Verheyen
Lynne Man Penni and John Wagner
Meighan Matthews Michelle and Gary Watson
Mathworks Sarah Webb
Joe Maureen Phillips Alexis Weyers
Jennifer McCann Black Pat White
Chuck McCormack Ann Whitney
Jean and Dave McKinley Christine Williams
Julie McNeill Ryan Williams
Wendy Metz Rebecca Wright
Mary Miller Melissa and Ellery Yahia
Chris Mohn
Alexandra Muenze DePalo we fondly remember...
Pat and John Myers Joanne Hall
McKinley Ann Neal who contributed many hours of
Ken Nickerson her thoughtful time and energy
Debbie Noyes
to us in 2009
Lisa Oldham
Lawrence O’Toole
Charity Parrott GPGP thanks all of our 2008 and
Sam Peisch 2009 contributors and volunteers
Barbara Pelkey who share our passion and enthu-
Bob Porter siasm for serving the community.
Amanda Price While we have attempted to list each
Ruthann & Frederick Prifty and every contributor, we apologize
Cathy Ricciardi in advance for any omission.
Jonathan “J” Ricciardi
Vinny Ricciardi
Myrna Richmond
Sarah Rosenfield
Linda Russell

15. grow i n g p l a c e s garden projec t
w i th o u t a l l o f you…
special thanks
to the following individuals
for donating professional
services:
Publisher
Suzanne Hays
Creative Director
Christine Lazorchak
Nourishment Consultant
Kathy Elkind
Survey assessment
Joe Bongiardina now available online ...
Newsletters GPGP’s Growing Guide & Recipe Books
Sonal Dhingra
The Growing Guide offers a step-by-step approach to planning
Development your garden and the recipe guide includes over 100 nutritious
Hellie Swartwood recipes that many GPGP families and volunteers have provided
to us over the years to use in our newsletters.
Web Design
Joan Eliyesal
•
2009 a nnua l re vi e w

16. Growing Places Garden Project
• PO Box 17 • 75 Green Street
• Clinton, MA 01510
• t: 978.598.3723 • www.growingplaces.org