Four years ago, Massaro dipped its toe in the water of FoodCorps, a programof the national AmeriCorps network that sends service members out into the community to tackle pressing problems and mobilize thousands of volunteers. FoodCorps’ mission is to engage youth by providing hands-on education around food and healthy eating/living habits, installing school gardens, and improving access to healthy foods in schools.

This month we welcomed Natalie Glidden as our third FoodCorps service member at Massaro. Natalie is from Milford, CT and has a long background of serving youth through teaching yoga, cooking instruction, and wildlife skills. She has also been volunteering and teaching at Massaro over the last several years.  In addition, she’s currently completing certifications in herbalism and adult yoga. While at Massaro, Natalie will focus her energies on continuing our support of a school garden and gardening club at Ansonia Middle School, and work to engage new students through outreach to the culinary program at Emmett O’Brien and the student counseling office of Ansonia High School.

Welcome Natalie!