Youth Food Justice
Providing kids and teens hands-on experience in urban agriculture and local food systems
Youth Food Justice Squad (J-Squad) Program
Mill City Grows’ Youth Food Justice Squad (J-Squad) Program is a unique youth job opportunity for Lowell teens who have an interest in learning more about Food Systems, Urban Agriculture, and Food Justice. J-Squad Members meet daily for six weeks during July and August, and learn and work alongside Mill City Grows staff in our Education, Urban Farm, and Mobile Market Programs. While earning a paycheck, they help to grow and distribute food while participating in the food justice curriculum and completing a service-learning project.
Summer Farm Field Trips
Specially designed for children aged 7-12, our Summer Farm Field Trips give young participants an exciting opportunity to visit a working farm and be introduced to the cycle of fresh food from seed to plate, as well as the benefits of enjoying healthy meals and snacks. Each field trip includes a farm scavenger hunt/farm lesson and a farm-fresh snack. Longer field trips will also include a farm project.
Farm Field Trips can accommodate up to 15 persons, and transportation must be provided by participants. We ask that at least one chaperone/staff member per five students be present for the duration of the field trip (including one Mill City Grows staff member).