Born from grassroots organizing efforts and managed by The Food Project since 2010, this 10,000-square-foot space serves as both a growing facility and a community hub. For residents of Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan, it offers more than just garden beds and seedlings — it provides access to a tradition deeply rooted in the neighborhood.
Originally from Toronto, Andrews has been in Boston working for the Food Project since 2000 and at the Dudley Greenhouse since its founding in 2010. Fans buzzed and the drip irrigation sputtered throughout the raised beds as she moved through the space.
"The greenhouse functions as a production space," Andrews said, gesturing toward rows of flourishing greens that have been set aside for the annual seedling sale on May 10. Suspended above the raised beds were colorful painted signs labeling the sections: flowers, greens, broccoli and cabbage, cucumber and squash, and herbs.
Donald Henry, a retired carpenter who began as a grower in 2017, now volunteers at the greenhouse, sometimes five days a week. He said he immigrated to Boston from Jamaica over 50 years ago. After checking his garden bed, he returned beaming. "God is good. I look in my bed, and guess what's growing nice? Callaloo."
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