Sara Trunzo '08: A Leader in Community Based Agriculture

     When Sara Trunzo ’08 was a Unity College student, she distinguished herself as having a passion for community based agriculture.  Her efforts led to a series of jobs tied to community improvement efforts, usually with strong ties to agriculture.

     Trunzo became a coordinator for the Veggies for All Program, a Barn Raisers agriculture program that provides fresh produce to a number of area food pantries.

      On Wednesday, July 6, Trunzo, Food and Farm Projects Coordinator at Unity College, was at her desk in the sustainability office in Constable Hall.  She was working on plans to strengthen existing community agriculture programs and increase local food purchasing.

     Trunzo demonstrates a passion for improving community access to fresh, healthy and nutritious vegetables for those who struggle with access to such foods due to a variety of economic or other reasons.

     Community-based hunger relief program Veggies for All was honored with a citation during the May 7 commencement exercises at Unity College.

     A project of UBR and housed at Unity College, the Veggies for All program grew over 15,000 pounds of cabbage, potatoes, winter squash, dry beans, and carrots, among other vegetables during the 2010 growing season.  The harvest reached over 1,500 low-income neighbors, many of whom are children or the elderly.

     Veggies for All’s garden plots are located on the Unity College campus and in the town of Unity, in previously underutilized agricultural areas.

     Outgoing President Mitchell Thomashow said that Veggies for All is an “inspiration for any community, urban or rural, that understands how growing local food is the heart of good will, virtuous work, and a better quality of life.”

     Accepting the citation on behalf of Veggies for All were Project Manager Tim Libby and Sara Trunzo ’08, Food and Farm Projects Coordinator at Unity College.