Southside Community Land Trust

What Southside Community Land Trust does

Southside Community Land Trust (SCLT) is a Rhode Island nonprofit founded in 1981 in Providence by Debbie Schimberg and two Brown University classmates. Starting with two community gardens in South Providence alongside Hmong refugees, SCLT has grown into a network of 60 community gardens and urban farms across Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, and Cranston, serving 25,000 people in 2024 and hosting 30 farm businesses on SCLT-owned land with growers collectively speaking 30 languages. The organization's core programs center on land access, farmer training and technical assistance, produce aggregation, the VeggieRx food-as-medicine initiative with healthcare partners (Lifespan, Integra, Brown University Health, Clínica Esperanza), and a youth workforce development program employing approximately 50 young people annually.

SCLT generates revenue through a hybrid nonprofit model combining foundation grants (UNFI Foundation, Bloom Rhode Island, The Champlin Foundation, USDA, United Way) with earned income from farmers markets, a Produce Aggregation Program that paid farmers $140,881 in 2025 across 13 farm businesses, wholesale to restaurants, an annual membership program, and its flagship Rare & Unusual Plant Sale (20,000 city-grown plants; 2,800 attendees in 2026). Distribution runs through farmers markets, direct farm sales, wholesale channels, the VeggieRx healthcare prescription pathway, and aggregation deliveries to community organizations including Amos House, Project Weber/RENEW, Youth Pride Inc., West End Community Center, Providence Public Schools, and St. Martin de Porres Multi-Service Center.

SCLT is executing a capital expansion through its $1.7 million, 4,000-square-foot Cranston Food Hub at Urban Edge Farm (broke ground 2025, expected operational by summer 2027) housing pack lines, walk-in humidity-controlled coolers, and a walk-in freezer. The Healthy Food Hub at 404 Broad Street in Providence (ribbon-cutting 2022) anchors South Providence operations with offices, a produce processing facility, a Youth Entrepreneurship Center, and three leasable food-business spaces. The organization is led by Executive Director Margaret DeVos and faced a $600,000 federal funding cut in 2025, triggering staff reductions while continuing to deliver food access, farmer support, and youth programming.

Name

Southside Community Land Trust

Legal name

Southside Community Land Trust

Website

https://southsideclt.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Southside Community Land Trust is a Rhode Island nonprofit that operates 60 community gardens and urban farms, training small-scale and immigrant farmers while running VeggieRx food-as-medicine and produce aggregation programs that reach 25,000 residents across Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, and Cranston.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Agriculture Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Crop Production (11511), Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating (115112), Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production (1114), Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Retailers (444240)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative) (BPAGALAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Rural Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment (BPAGABAA), Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI)

Keywords

• Community gardens
• Urban farming
• Food access programs
• Farmer training
• Workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

Providence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Nonprofit organization funded primarily through donations, grants from foundations (UNFI Foundation, Bloom Rhode Island), government funding, and charitable contributions from individuals and organizations
2. Plant Sale Fundraiser: Annual Rare & Unusual Plant Sale serves as SCLT's biggest fundraiser of the year, selling 20,000 city-grown plants. Proceeds directly fund community gardens, farmer training, youth programs, food access work, and urban farm operations.
3. Membership Program: Annual membership program offering benefits including early access to plant sale, 50 gallons of organic compost, 10% discount on plant purchases, and free seeds
4. Produce Sales: Revenue generated through farmers markets, produce aggregation programs, and wholesale to restaurants and institutions

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Southside Community Land Trust operates a network of 60 community gardens and urban farms across Rhode Island, providing land access, farmer training and apprenticeships, food access programs (including the VeggieRx food-as-medicine healthcare partnership and Produce Aggregation Program), youth workforce development for ages 14-24, and farm-to-market initiatives connecting small-scale farmers to farmers markets, restaurants, and institutions. Revenue is generated primarily through grants, donations, an annual membership program, and produce sales, with the annual Rare & Unusual Plant Sale serving as the organization's largest fundraiser.

Product overview

Southside Community Land Trust operates a network of community gardens, urban farms, and food access programs across Rhode Island. The organization's core offerings include land access through 60 community gardens and urban farms, farmer training and technical support services, the VeggieRx healthcare partnership program, Produce Aggregation for distributing local produce, and Workforce Development for youth. The annual Rare & Unusual Plant Sale serves as a major fundraiser featuring 20,000 plants. The 404 Broad Street Healthy Food Hub anchors South Providence operations, with a new Cranston Food Hub under construction for 2027 completion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Gardens & Urban Farms A network of 60 community gardens and urban farms across Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, and Cranston (including City Farm, Good Earth Farm, Urban Edge Farm, and Galego Community Farm) enabling Rhode Islanders to grow and enjoy healthy food through community garden plots and farming infrastructure.
• Farmer Support & Services Comprehensive farmer training, apprenticeships, and technical support services including assistance with small grants, farm infrastructure improvements, and workshops on pest management, soil health, and cover cropping, helping small-scale farmers (predominantly farmers of color) navigate the local food system.
• VeggieRx Food-as-medicine healthcare partnership program where doctors prescribe locally grown vegetables to food-insecure patients as part of their care. Partners include Lifespan, Brown University Health, Integra, and Clínica Esperanza, distributing over 100 shares of fresh produce biweekly to patients with diet-related health conditions.
• Produce Aggregation Program Program that pools produce from SCLT-network farmers and distributes to community organizations including Amos House, Project Weber/Renew, Youth Pride Inc., West End Community Center, and Beautiful Beginnings childcare center, generating $140,881 in farmer sales in 2025 with 13 farm businesses participating.
• Workforce Development Youth employment program for ages 14-24 in Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls, providing hands-on paid training in farming, cooking, nutrition, and food access work at the Youth Enterprise Farm, City Farm, and Galego Community Farm.
• Rare & Unusual Plant Sale Annual plant sale at City Farm in Providence featuring 20,000 city-grown vegetable, herb, and fruit plants. Members receive early access preview hour and 10% discount, making it the organization's biggest fundraiser of the year.
• Annual Membership Annual membership program providing supporters with 50 gallons of organic compost, early entry to the Rare & Unusual Plant Sale, 10% discount on plant purchases, and free organic & non-GMO seeds.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25,000 Rhode Islanders served through programs in 2024
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Farm Fresh Rhode IslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages multiple farmers markets where SCLT network farmers sell produce; co-manages Broad Street Farmers Market; partner for Eat Well, Be Well incentive program
• LifespancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare network partner in VeggieRx food-as-medicine program, prescribing fresh locally grown produce to patients with diet-related health conditions
• IntegracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner distributing over 100 shares of fresh produce biweekly through VeggieRx program to patients with diet-related health conditions
• Brown University HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner in VeggieRx program, prescribing fresh local vegetables to food-insecure patients as part of their care
• Clínica EsperanzacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner in VeggieRx program serving the Latino community with culturally appropriate produce prescriptions
• Amos HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial services organization receiving weekly fresh produce deliveries through Produce Aggregation Program for distribution to clients
• Project Weber/RENEWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial services organization receiving fresh produce through Healthy Food Access program for distribution to community members
• Youth Pride Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth organization receiving fresh produce deliveries through Produce Aggregation Program
• West End Community CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity center receiving fresh produce through Healthy Food Access program
• West Elmwood Housing Development CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRuns Sankofa World Market farmers market in West End Providence; started in 2014, market features specialty crops from diverse SCLT network growers
• Groundwork Rhode IslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSix-year partnership on Green Changemakers youth program; joint workforce development programming at Galego Community Farm in Pawtucket
• Roots 2EmpowerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Dig In: Soil Safety Workshop, presenting on environmental health, food justice, and community resilience
• Rhode Island Department of HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in soil safety workshop, working on lead safety and environmental health in communities
• Rhode Island Natural History SurveyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert partner for BioBlitz citizen science events at City Farm and Peace & Plenty Community Garden
• Audubon Rhode IslandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for BioBlitz events documenting biodiversity at urban farms and gardens
• Hope & MainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal food business providing food donations for Plant Sale volunteers and events
• Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministers Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) grants; SCLT farmers received record number of LASA grants
• Rhode Island Land Trust CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinated advocacy effort for $3 million farmland preservation in Rhode Island Green Bond
• American Farmland TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTestified at Rhode Island legislature in support of farmland preservation funding
• Rhode Island Food Policy CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner advocating for Urban & Small Farm Success Act and food policy changes
• Hmong United Association of Rhode IslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization utilizing Cranston Food Hub facility; representing Hmong farmer community in fifth decade of growing in Rhode Island
• Hope's Harvest (Farm Fresh RI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGleaning program receiving donated plants from Plant Sale for distribution to community organizations
• Northern Rhode Island Conservation DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Let's Grow! Earth Day event; teaching container herb gardening at events
• SantanderminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate volunteer partner at Plant Sale events; community support
• Care New EnglandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate volunteer partner at Plant Sale events
• URI ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for farmer training continuity; Conservation Stewardship Programs for SCLT growers
• Northeast Organic Farming Association of Rhode Island (NOFA/RI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner at Let's Grow! Earth Day event
• Providence ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to serve recreation centers with fresh produce; city council funding for expansion

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Food Trust: Philadelphia-based nonprofit operating farmers markets, food access programs (including produce prescriptions), and nutrition incentive initiatives. Directly comparable to SCLT's combined farmers-market, aggregation, and VeggieRx model in a different urban market.
• Wholesome Wave: National nonprofit pioneering produce prescription (PPresc) and nutrition incentive programs partnering with healthcare providers and retailers. Closest national analog to SCLT's VeggieRx model and food-as-medicine approach.
• The Greening of Detroit: Detroit nonprofit running urban agriculture, tree planting, and food access programs with a comparable mission of building community food sovereignty in an underserved urban market.
• Keep Growing Detroit: Detroit-based nonprofit managing a network of urban gardens and farms, providing farmer training, and supplying fresh produce to food-insecure residents — a strong functional analog to SCLT's garden network and food access work.
• Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP): Buffalo nonprofit combining urban agriculture with youth workforce development and food access — closely mirroring SCLT's combination of farming, youth employment (ages 14-24), and healthy food distribution.

Regional players

• Farm Fresh Rhode Island: Rhode Island-based food hub and farmers market operator that co-manages markets where SCLT growers sell. A core strategic partner and the most direct regional peer in farm-to-market aggregation and nutrition incentives.

Broad incumbents

• New York Restoration Project (NYRP): Larger nonprofit stewarding gardens and green spaces in NYC with a comparable focus on community gardens in underserved neighborhoods, though operating at a significantly larger scale and broader scope.
• Groundwork USA: National network of urban environmental nonprofits running workforce development, urban greening, and food access programs. Directly relevant given SCLT's six-year partnership with Groundwork Rhode Island on the Green Changemakers youth program.

Emerging players

• Agrarian Trust: National nonprofit focused on land access and farmland tenure for next-generation and BIPOC farmers — thematically aligned with SCLT's land trust mission and farmer-of-color focus.

Others

• Feeding America (local member food banks): National hunger-relief network with local food bank affiliates (e.g., RI Food Bank) that overlap in food distribution to food-insecure households but operate a much larger, donation-driven model rather than SCLT's local-grower supply chain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/southsideclt
• Facebookfacebook.com/SouthsideCommunityLandTrust
• Xx.com/southsideclt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Southside Community Land Trust