Waltham Fields Community Farm provides local produce through Mobile Outreach Market 

The Waltham Fields Community Farm prides itself on selling fresh, locally grown produce at its Beaver Street home, and offering residents a pastoral spot in the middle of the city.

But for those who can’t make it to the farm, WFCF has found a way to bring what it offers to them.

This year, as it has done for nearly two decades, WFCF has run its Mobile Outreach Market, operating it weekly from the parking lot of First Parish Church at 50 Church St. from July to October. 

Started in 2008, M.O.M charges $5 per share of produce in an effort to make fresh, healthy food more accessible to the community.

The program aims to serve low-income residents and accepts both government-provided food benefits (such as SNAP and HIP) and free vouchers distributed by community organizations.

Using the First Parish Church makes the farm’s produce accessible to a larger group of residents and creates an opportunity to bring more fresh, local and healthy affordable food to the community, said Marina Vergara, WFCF community and food access coordinator.

“You get more bang for your buck when you’re not getting expensive vegetables,” Vergara said, “so being able to provide that at a low cost at a location that people are able to get to, people are really excited about it.”

Felix, a first-time shopper who only shared his first name for publication, expressed his excitement. He said his wife started coming to M.O.M. two years ago and the pair cooks with their produce each week.

“It’s better than the grocery store, everything is natural,” he said.

Terry, a lifelong Waltham resident who also only shared her first name, said she has been spreading the word about the value of the program since first coming to M.O.M. in 2008.

“It’s awful how expensive it is to eat healthy,” she said. “I’ve told all my friends about this, and we’re lucky to have it.”

Accessibility also means making the process of using the program as simple as possible, Vergara said.

M.O.M. allows residents to self-identify as low income and doesn’t require any paperwork or registration.

“Having this flexibility and offering this option I think is really well received,” said Vergara. “It doesn’t make anyone feel different.” 

Susanna Hilfer, WFCF assistant farm manager, said she has seen residents of all income levels utilize the program.

“People come off the street and they may have enough to afford a CSA share, but we don’t discriminate either way so it makes everybody feel normal in a way,” said Hilfer.

M.O.M. partnered with 20 community organizations this year, providing an average of 80 weekly shares, up from 16 organizations and 55 to 60 shares in 2024, according to Vergara.

Vergara said focusing on community outreach to connect more residents with the program has been successful, but WFCF still faced challenges during the 2025 season. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the city translated to a tension in many public spaces, sources have said.

“There are outside factors we didn’t have last year that are making vulnerable populations feel more vulnerable,” Vergara said, “so we’re working through that and trying to be as flexible as possible, especially working with our community partners and getting food to people that need it.” 

Traci, a M.O.M. volunteer, echoed Vergara. (Like Felix and Terry, she requested only her first name be used.)

“During a really hard time this feels like a safe place to buy produce and have a good conversation,” Traci said. 

Support from the community made all the difference this season, according to Vergara.

“It hasn’t been the easiest year by any means, but there are parts that have made it a lot easier, like the consistent support to grow and to think about things for next year,” Vergara said. 

Hilfer agreed.

“While all the other stuff is going on in the world, it felt like a little bit of a bright spot,” she said. “It’s just happy there.”