Giving Tuesday 2024

In the context of the greater United States, Prince George’s County is a unique amalgamation of cultures, demographics, languages and land use strategies. The communities we serve are highly diverse in many ways, bringing a variety of unique experiences and solutions for addressing long term issues of food security, equity and environmental restoration. Despite attempts to frame our modern-day society as a “post-agricultural economy,” food is at the very heart of our relationship with our bodies, communities, ecosystems and institutions. The selection of our farm sites in Prince George’s County was intentional as a strategy for establishing nourishing produce, educational opportunities and nature access directly within the neighborhoods most in need. According to Capital Area Food Bank’s 2024 Hunger Report, 50% of Prince George’s County residents are food insecure. Considering our country’s painful history, where the same systems of power perpetrated violence against both people and our planet, our mission of cultivating healthy food is intended to create intertwined pathways to healing.

This past year at ECO, we have had the pleasure to partner with the Town of Bladensburg to offer free weekly shares of nutritious, local vegetables to 15 Port Towns families – our immediate neighbors – throughout the summer and fall. We are deeply proud of this work, but unfortunately are facing the end of our funding period and are looking for new ways to support these families through fresh, local food access. That is where partnerships with our community come in where we together create a more just and equitable food system for all.

Your contributions would support:

• $20 = feed a family for a week
• $80 = feed a family for a month
• $320 = feed a family for a season
• $800 = feed a family for a year

If you share our vision of a just food system that employs climate-smart growing practices, values its farmers, and prioritizes nutritious food for all, please consider donating. Your support makes a significant difference in our ability to create a healthier, more sustainable future. Together, we can continue to sow the seeds of positive change in our community.