Act Local, Shop Local, Support Local
Many of you have asked what you can do to support Mill City Grows and small farmers during these unpredictable times.
Here is a list of things to get you started!
2.) Buy from other local farmers and engage with them. Tell them what you liked from the stand, what you made with their produce, or what you would love to see. Most farmers welcome conversation and connection with their community — that’s why they do what they do! Learn more about where your food comes from. This knowledge is foundational to being human.
3.) Be mindful of your everyday eats. Talk with your book group, church, neighbors, board game meet-up, etc., about purchasing snacks and whole foods from area farmers. Ask at your favorite restaurants if they are carrying any local produce, and try it. Not all restaurants can buy local, but having the conversation and letting businesses know this is important to you is a step in the right direction.
4.) Support the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP). All people deserve access to fresh, healthy, local produce. HIP ensures folks with food subsidies can purchase fresh produce from farmers. Sign up for the Massachusetts Food Systems Collaborative’s newsletter. They regularly send out calls to action around HIP legislation and other important food and farming related legislation. Even if you don’t use EBT/HIP, go shop at HIP vendors — make it cool to ensure all people have access to fresh produce!
- Want ice cream, milk, or cream? Head over to Shaw Farm, open year round. Sweet Bar hosts MCG markets and will open in March 2026.
- Need more hot sauce? Try Craic Sauce! Not only is it produced in Lowell, Craic Sauce grows most of their own ingredients locally.
- Liberty Hill Farm has delicious honey. Maple syrup and eggs can all be found locally as well.
- Need juice? Try Nati’s Natural Juices.
- Pick your own fresh flowers at Parlee Farm or order a flower CSA from Red Antler Apothecary.
- PGI Foods is a large, local, family-owned company that gives a portion of its Herban Fresh Soup proceeds to Mill City Grows. Go visit the Chowder Factory, their Lowell-based market, and purchase soups, sauces, pre-made meals, sweets, and more!
- Compost locally with Bootstrap Compost. Composting is a great way to decrease food waste and support a healthier environment for us all.
6.) Attend public hearings about land use. If you want there to be farm land for farmers to farm, you need to protect it from development. Advocate for farm land conservation and conservation of natural spaces. Check out Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust — they are doing great work in Lowell.
7.) Explore a nearby class or workshop. Do you want to can local produce, but don’t know how to? Want to eat more local veggies, but don’t know how to cook them? Want to brew your own teas, but don’t know where to start? Some farms run classes in the off season to keep funds coming in when they aren’t selling produce. Mill City Grows hosts classes, Clark Organic Farm in Carlisle does as well. F-word farm is available to host great hands-on classes on fermenting.
8.) Support small makers in Lowell. Small businesses typically support other small businesses and we all work to keep the economy healthy. Lowell General Store has tons of Lowell-made products. The best Greek yogurt you will ever have is at Sophia’s Greek Pantry. Lowell has some of the best bakeries anywhere! Try Pizzelle, El Tipico Bakery, Lowell Asian Bakery. Did you know that candles have been made in Lowell since 1910? Check out Hive Public Market for a collection of small businesses selling in Lowell, including Koshari Mama! Hive Public Market also hosts the DTL Farmers Market every Sunday!