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Gardner leases old Waterford Street school kitchen to Growing Places for local food processing for school meals
Summary
The mayor said the city signed a lease with Growing Places for kitchen space at the old Waterford Street School so the nonprofit can buy locally grown produce and do light preparation for Gardner Public Schools and neighboring districts.
Mayor (unnamed) said Gardner City has signed a lease with Growing Places for kitchen space at the former Waterford Street School to operate a light‑food‑processing center.
According to the mayor, Growing Places purchases produce from local farmers and performs light preparation — dicing, slicing and other steps that make produce “cook‑ready” — so local school districts, including Gardner Public Schools, can buy locally prepared produce for school lunch and other meal programs.
The mayor credited Growing Places and volunteers at the Waterford Street site for strengthening the connection between area farmers, processors and consumers. He identified Anne Eagle of Growing Places as having shown the North Central Massachusetts legislative delegation the facility and its operations.
The mayor said the city’s arrangement is a lease for space in the old school and that the program already has a contract with Gardner Public Schools; he did not provide a copy of the lease or the contract terms during the update.
Mayor (unnamed) framed the initiative as an example of local economic development that also increases access to locally sourced, higher‑nutrition foods in school meal programs.
