The DeNicola Family Foundation donated a farm to table teaching garden for A Meaningful Purpose at Reed’s Farm to use at the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City. Reed’s Farm located in Egg Harbor Township NJ, will use farm to table teaching garden for their workforce programming and their summer camp. Installation includes hardscaping ground cover, construction of raised cedar-wood beds with addition of soil and compost for food production.
In 2020, A Meaningful Purpose Reed’s Farm formed a programming partnership with The Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City to provide their participants with agricultural engagement and access to nature. Reed’s mission is to empower the Club Kids with the knowledge and skills required to grow their own food, serving as a vocational skill and protective factor for their wellbeing.
This partnership includes seasonal workshops throughout the year and culminates in an 8-week summer program that aligns with the hospitality track at the Club’s Teen Center. This program is provided by Reed’s Programming Director and the Club’s Executive Chef and features 4 hours per week of farm-to-table culinary and agricultural training. The Club Kids participate in all stages of cultivating crops, which they then transform into nutritious plant-based meals. These meals are affordable and easy to prepare while introducing Club Kids to food trends and marketable vocational skills.
A Meaningful Purpose, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 2020 by Cookie Till, Beth Senay & Leonard Varvaro to address the needs of food insecurity, soil regeneration, and community inclusiveness in Atlantic County, NJ. This mission is carried out at the historic Reed’s Farm, located on 80 acres in Egg Harbor Township, NJ, continuing the legacy of local food production in the region. The farm operates year-round utilizing organic and regenerative practices, hosts a sanctuary for farm animals, and provides educational and vocational programming to local schools and organizations with a focus on individuals with cognitive disabilities. The newly opened Kitchen & Market has quickly become the heart of the farm and a hub for the community. All proceeds are reinvested back into the organizations programming and regenerative agriculture initiatives. Summer Market Hours are 9-6pm Thursday/Friday and 9-3 Saturday/Sunday.
