Local Food: Non-Profit Spotlight – Sustainable Nantucket

Who They Are

Sustainable Nantucket is a local non-profit organization that promotes healthy lifestyle choices and food options. Their goal is to build a locally based food economy while promoting sustainable practices, in addition to bringing awareness to existing local food options. This organization works to connect consumers to local farmers and growers. On Nantucket, we are lucky to have an abundance of small, local farms at our fingertips, as well as an organization like Sustainable Nantucket working to keep the public informed about our local food sources.

What They Do 

Sustainable Nantucket advocates for local farmers, and educates the community about the benefits of small farms. They have many programs that benefit the community, and these programs help spread their message about locally sourced food. For instance, every Saturday in the Summer and Fall Sustainable Nantucket hosts the Farmers and Artisans Market where local vendors can sell their goods. Examples of local vendors and products include jewelry makers, small local farms, artists and photographers, handmade clothing, and more. The Farm to School program connects local farms with the island schools, therefore giving kids healthy food options every day. Lastly,  the Community Farm Institute offers classes, workshops, and other resources for locals to learn about farming and other sustainable practices.

Events

Throughout the year, Sustainable Nantucket hosts a variety of events on island. Coming up this month, they are hosting their 4th Annual Food Festival. The festival runs from October 18th through 20th, during which attendees will find various markets, food tastings, demonstrations and workshops. During the festival, local restaurants also host various meals focusing on locally sourced ingredients. Tickets to the Food Festival events are available here. Other events include various NantucketGrown dinners, as well as the annual Farm Fresh Feast. Follow Sustainable Nantucket on Facebook and Instagram to make sure you don’t miss any of their upcoming events!