Community Harvest Project (CHP), a non-profit farm that engages and educates volunteers to grow fruits and vegetables for hunger relief, welcomed state representatives to celebrate the purchase of a new tractor. The tractor will enhance CHP’s Grafton farm operations to more efficiently grow crops to supply 26 distribution partners who provide produce to Massachusetts residents experiencing hunger.

Second Worcester District State Sen. Michael Moore and Ninth Worcester District State Rep. David Muradian championed the inclusion of the earmark to purchase the tractor in the FY24 state budget. “I’m thrilled that the funds Representative Muradian and I secured in the FY24 state budget are going to help bring hunger relief to families cross the Commonwealth through the purchase of this tractor,” said State Sen. Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “Community Harvest Project’s mission to provide fresh, wholesome, and nutritious meals to people experiencing food insecurity is one that I could not be more proud to support. I’m looking forward to continuing our partnership in the future as we work to eliminate hunger in Massachusetts.”

“We are extremely grateful that Representative Muradian and Senator Moore have made alleviating hunger in their district a priority.” said Tori Buerschaper, CHP’s Executive Director. “At a time when individuals are still struggling to make ends meet, strengthening our emergency food resources is critical.”

CHP’s distribution partners include the Grafton Food Bank, the Worcester County Food Bank and its network of 115 hunger relief agencies, and the Greater Boston Food Bank.

“The purchase of this tractor represents a huge opportunity to increase the efficiency of our farming operation.” said Dave Johnson, CHP’s Manager of Farm Operations. “The addition of a fully capable, second tractor allows us to perform a greater variety of agricultural tasks in a shorter period of time -- this effectively doubles our capacity to perform field work operations.”