Regional Environmental Council

What Regional Environmental Council does

The Regional Environmental Council (REC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit food justice organization founded in 1972 and headquartered at 108 Beacon Street in Worcester, Massachusetts, operating across Worcester County for 53 years. REC delivers a portfolio of interconnected programs targeting food insecurity, urban agriculture, and youth development in Worcester's low-income communities—where roughly 20% of residents live in poverty and 33% of children in REC-served neighborhoods are in families unable to meet basic food needs. Core offerings include Mobile Farmers Markets (year-round scheduled stops at eight housing, healthcare, and senior sites), two standing seasonal markets (Beaver Brook Park and University Park), an online pre-order market, the YouthGROW youth employment program employing up to 40 teens across three urban farms, and the UGROW network supporting 80+ community gardens with 700+ gardeners. Supporting programs include the School Gardens Network (34 partner sites), the Farm to Early Childhood Project, Earth Day Cleanups (1,400+ volunteers, 34+ tons of trash annually), an annual Plant Sale (10,000+ seedlings donated), and an online merchandise shop. REC does not generate product revenue in the traditional sense; its operating model is a hybrid of donations (Grow Club monthly giving, Leadership Circle $1,000+ annual donors, vehicle donations, Community Bag partnerships with Big Y/Shaws/Stop and Shop), grants from foundations and government entities (United Way of Central Massachusetts, MDAR, City of Worcester, Walmart Foundation, TJX Foundation, and others), corporate sponsorships, and ancillary earned income (Plant Sale, Mobile Market produce sales, REC merchandise).

Name

Regional Environmental Council

Legal name

Regional Environmental Council

Website

https://recworcester.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Regional Environmental Council is a 53-year-old Worcester, MA nonprofit operating Mobile and standing farmers markets, 80+ community gardens, and the YouthGROW youth employment program to address food insecurity and food access in low-income Worcester communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Justice and Urban Agriculture Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (62421)

SIC

Retail-Grocery Stores (5411)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Independent Natural & Organic Grocers (CRAHAEAB), Produce Markets & Greengrocers (CRAHAHAA)

Keywords

• Food justice programs
• Urban agriculture
• Youth development
• Community gardens
• Farmers markets

Headquarters

HQ city

Worcester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: REC generates revenue through individual donations, corporate matching gifts, and the Grow Club monthly giving program. They also accept vehicle donations and participate in community bag programs at local grocery stores.
2. Grants and Foundation Support: REC receives funding from foundations and government grants including support from organizations like the Albert W. Rice Charitable Foundation, Alden Trust, Blue Piano Fund, City of Worcester, and others listed on their supporters page.
3. Membership Programs: The Leadership Circle requires annual donations of $1000 or more. Monthly giving through Grow Club provides sustained funding.
4. Merchandise Sales: REC sells merchandise including t-shirts, long sleeves, and hats through Worx Printing, a worker-owned union cooperative based in Worcester.
5. Plant Sale Fundraiser: Annual plant sale fundraiser enables REC to donate over 10,000 seedlings to community and school gardens. Plants are sold with tiered pricing including SNAP/HIP eligibility.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

REC is a Worcester-based nonprofit food justice organization that runs mobile and standing farmers markets accepting SNAP/HIP benefits, the YouthGROW urban agriculture paid youth employment program, and the UGROW community and school gardens network. It also operates the Farm to Early Childhood Project, plant sales, garden workshops, and an online farmers market, distributing fresh produce to food-insecure Worcester residents while employing local teens.

Product overview

The Regional Environmental Council (REC) is a nonprofit food justice organization operating a portfolio of interconnected programs centered on food access, urban agriculture, and youth development. The core offerings include Mobile and Standing Farmers Markets (including online pre-order), the YouthGROW youth employment program, and the UGROW community garden network. Supporting programs include school gardens, the Farm to Early Childhood Project, Earth Day cleanups, plant sales, garden workshops, and Farm Party events. REC also operates various engagement programs including volunteer opportunities, internships, and Commonwealth Corps service positions. Donation programs include Grow Club monthly giving, Leadership Circle ($1,000+ annual donors), Sustainable Harvest Society planned giving, McNaughton Scholarship Fund, vehicle donations, and Community Bag partnerships with regional grocery stores. The organization accepts SNAP/HIP benefits and offers merchandise through the REC Swag Shop.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mobile Farmers Markets Mobile farmers markets that bring fresh, locally grown produce on a regular weekly stop schedule to neighborhoods in Worcester with limited access to fresh food. They accept SNAP, HIP, and SNAP Match, making produce affordable for low-income shoppers.
• Community Farmers Markets (Standing) Recurring weekly outdoor farmers markets held at fixed community locations in Worcester, offering fresh produce and accepting SNAP, HIP, and SNAP Match benefits.
• Online Farmers Market An online ordering system that allows Worcester residents to pre-order produce from REC farmers markets and pick up at a designated location.
• YouthGROW Urban Agriculture Youth Employment Paid summer employment program for Worcester teens centered on urban agriculture and food justice training. Youth participants work on a farm, sell produce at a farm stand, and complete the PLUS curriculum covering professional development, leadership, urban agriculture, and social justice.
• UGROW Community and School Gardens Network Network of community and school gardens across Worcester that supports residents, schools, and community groups in growing food locally. REC provides coordination, technical support, and resources to garden sites.
• School Gardens Network REC-managed school garden program operating in 30+ schools across Worcester County, supporting garden-based education and student engagement with food systems.
• Farm to Early Childhood Project Early-childhood food access and education program that introduces young children and their educators to fresh, local produce and farm-based learning.
• Annual Plant Sale Annual spring plant sale offering vegetable seedlings and plants to home gardeners and community members, with proceeds supporting REC programs.
• Farm Party Fundraising Event Annual Farm Party fundraising event supporting REC's youth and food access programs.
• Garden Workshops and Earth Day Cleanups Community education programming including garden workshops on topics such as seed-starting and an annual Earth Day community cleanup event.
• REC Merch (Swag Shop) Online store selling REC-branded merchandise and apparel, with proceeds supporting REC's food justice and youth programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 33% of children in REC-served Worcester communities live in families unable to meet basic food needs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UMass Memorial HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of REC Farmers Markets, supporting increased access to fresh produce for Worcester residents.
• One Percent for the PlanetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental giving platform partnership allowing REC to receive donations from members supporting environmental causes.
• Worcester Food & Active Living Policy CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal sponsor of School Gardens Network through Hunger-Free & Healthy project starting in March 2010.
• Cotyledon FarmminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOrganic farm vendor selling produce at REC Mobile Markets year-round.
• Harper's FarmminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFourth-generation family farm vendor selling produce at REC Beaver Brook, University Park, and Mobile Markets.
• Marty's LocalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal food distributor partner sourcing from 100+ farms across New England for REC markets.
• Southeast Asian Coalition of Central MA (SEACMA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity organization growing mushrooms on upcycled materials, selling at REC markets.
• GuideStar CandidminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit transparency platform showing REC Candid 2025 Seal for organizational transparency.
• Worcester Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner through School Gardens Network with 34 school partner sites including early childhood education centers.
• Head Start ProgramsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner through Farm to Early Childhood Project including all four Worcester Head Starts.
• Worcester Polytechnic InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner where Misigaro Farms supports growing spaces.
• College of the Holy CrossminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner where Misigaro Farms supports growing spaces.
• Big YminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity Bag program partner where shoppers can purchase bags with donations going to REC.
• ShawsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity Bag program partner where shoppers can purchase bags with donations going to REC.
• Stop and ShopminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity Bag program partner where shoppers can purchase bags with donations going to REC.
• Worx PrintingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorker-owned union cooperative in Worcester hosting REC merchandise shop.
• Massachusetts Maple Producers AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation membership for Bucket List Maple Syrup vendor at REC markets.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wholesome Wave: National nonprofit running SNAP doubling/incentive programs at farmers markets nationwide. Directly comparable because REC's Mobile Markets participate in Massachusetts HIP, which is the same programmatic model Wholesome Wave pioneered and funds.
• DC Central Kitchen: Washington D.C.-based nonprofit combining urban agriculture, culinary job training for at-risk youth, and large-scale meal distribution. Closely parallels REC's combination of youth workforce development and food access/community feeding.
• Project Bread: Massachusetts statewide anti-hunger organization running food access, school meals, and the statewide FoodSource Hotline. Comparable mission and Massachusetts geography, with overlapping programming in school food access and SNAP outreach that REC's Farm to Early Childhood Project touches.
• Growing Power (Milwaukee): National model for urban agriculture combined with youth development and food access, often cited alongside REC. Comparable structure of urban farms, youth training, and community food distribution in an underserved U.S. city.
• Massachusetts Farm to School: Statewide nonprofit building farm-to-school connections and school garden programming across Massachusetts. Closely comparable to REC's School Gardens Network and Farm to Early Childhood Project as a peer organization operating in the same state and segment.
• The Food Trust: Philadelphia-based nonprofit operating farmers markets, nutrition incentives, and healthy food retail initiatives in underserved neighborhoods. Comparable portfolio of mobile/stand farmers markets plus SNAP incentive programming serving low-income communities.
• Worcester County Food Bank: Regional food bank serving the same Worcester County geography with food distribution, hunger relief, and nutrition programming. Directly comparable as a fellow food-access nonprofit operating overlapping programs in Worcester, including SNAP outreach and community food distribution.
• Gardening the Community: Springfield, Massachusetts-based youth-led urban agriculture and food justice organization operating community gardens and farmers markets. Closely comparable structure: youth of color leading urban farming, food access programming, and community organizing in a Massachusetts post-industrial city.

Broad incumbents

• WhyHunger: National food justice nonprofit supporting grassroots organizations advancing the right to food. Comparable mission framing as a food justice umbrella, though WhyHunger operates as a national advocacy/grantmaker rather than direct service provider.

Regional players

• Boston Area Gleaners: Massachusetts-based organization rescuing surplus farm produce and distributing to food-insecure communities. Comparable food-rescue-plus-access model though focused on produce rescue rather than urban agriculture and youth training.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/recworcester
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCWfX_rBEe6oIuik1AlwhIKQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/recworcester
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/regional-environmental-council

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles25 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 Regional Environmental Council