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County Awarded $10,000 to support the Community Garden Initiative and the Municipal Shellfish Program

For Immediate Release

April 8, 2021 – Barnstable, MA. | Cape Cod 5 recently awarded Barnstable County Government’s Cape Cod Cooperative Extension $10,000 to support the Community Garden Initiative and the Municipal Shellfish Program. Both Extension programs are in response to the impacts of COVID‐19.

“We at Cape Cod 5 are proud to be partnering with Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and commend their efforts to help address food security particularly among underserved populations in our region,” said Dorothy Savarese, Chair and CEO of Cape Cod 5. “Both the Community Garden and the Municipal Shellfish Program provide a sustainable modality by which local resources can be leveraged to serve those in need within our communities.”

The Community Garden Initiative addresses the critical need to mitigate the increase of food insecurity within Cape Cod’s diverse population by building demonstration garden sites that provide consumer education on how to create and grow ethnic crops and promote systems for “backyard gardens”. These garden sites will be strategically located in areas that serve the more ethnically diverse populations in Barnstable County. “Through this partnership with Cape Cod 5, we will be able to provide educational materials and recipes for the crops that are being grown.  We anticipate that this project will enhance awareness around cultural diversity and provide fresh produce that is not easily found on Cape Cod.” said Andrea Marczely, Food Access Coordinator with Cape Cod Cooperative Extension.

The funding for Extension’s Municipal Shellfish Program will support a collaborative effort between Barnstable County and the Woods Hole Sea Grant program, assisting Cape Cod towns with purchasing and growing more shellfish for their recreational shellfish programs. In 2020 during the COVID‐19 pandemic, most towns observed an increase in the number of permits sold and the number of shellfish harvested and there is a need to replenish shellfish beds. “During the pandemic more people went out to their town shellfish beds to gather food, and also to do something fun outdoors with their families’ since most indoor activities were restricted,” said Abigail Archer, Fisheries and Aquaculture Specialist at Cape Cod Cooperative Extension. “This funding from CC5 will leverage additional sources of funding and will help Cape Codders to continue to be able to access local seafood.”

Cape Cod 5, through its community engagement efforts, seeks to advance pathways of economic development and sustainability. The Bank shares Cape Cod Cooperative Extension’s mission to support community development, education, and support individuals and families, especially during this challenging time.

About Cape Cod 5’s Community Engagement

Cape Cod 5 is a community bank serving Cape Cod, the Islands and Southeastern Massachusetts. Founded in 1855, the Bank’s mission is to enrich the lives of those it serves, while contributing to the health and vitality of its communities. Cape Cod 5 expresses its commitment to the community through its 5 Ways of Engagement: community banking, responsible business practices, corporate leadership and volunteerism, advancement of financial know-how and philanthropy. www.capecodfive.com

About Cape Cod Cooperative Extension

Cape Cod Cooperative Extension is the education department for Barnstable County. Educational programs focus on agriculture, marine resources, horticulture, aquaculture, natural resources, water quality, recycling, household hazardous waste, nutrition, food safety, youth development and environmental education issues facing the county. Extension programs are conducted in Barnstable County in cooperation with the staff at the University of Massachusetts, and The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution–Sea Grant program. www.capecodextension.org