Spring Updates from New Britain ROOTS

Spring Updates at New Britain ROOTS: A message from the Board & Staff
May 25, 2026

Dear New Britain ROOTS Community,

The seeds we planted together from our founding vision continue to grow community food access, production, and education throughout New Britain! Our season of transition is already bearing fruit, as our staff, board, and community step into new leadership and responsibilities together to continue growing and distributing food in our community.

We will soon welcome a new executive director to steward New Britain ROOTS' next chapter - but first, we want to recognize all the ways our incredible team is fulfilling our mission this season. From rebuilding community garden spaces to planting orchards, we continue to bring people together through environmental stewardship, food access and hands-on education.

This spring has already been filled with growth, collaboration, and community connection across New Britain. As another growing season gets underway, we’re excited to share updates from recent New Britain ROOTS projects and programs happening throughout the city.

New Garden Beds at the Chapman Community Garden 2026

🐣 Spring Program Updates 🐝

New Britain ROOTS staff, volunteers, interns, and community partners have been hard at work preparing gardens and green spaces throughout New Britain.

Here are some highlights from the past few weeks:

  • Rebuilding and preparing the Chapman Street Community Garden alongside volunteers and local partners

  • Building new raised garden beds during our Earth Day collaboration with Stanley Black & Decker and CCARC

  • Orchard planting and garden support work at New Britain High School

  • Community tree plantings throughout the city in partnership with local volunteers and schools

  • Hosting our Arbor Day celebration at Central Connecticut State University featuring family activities, educational programming, and the giveaway of bare-root tree seedlings to community members

  • New Britain Senior Center plant sale featuring flowers, herbs, vegetables, baked goods, and community-grown products

  • The season's first harvests of greens - and community gifts and donations - filling our Community Fridges

May 9th Plant sale at New Britain Senior Center

Our youth and educational programming continues to connect young people to gardening, environmental stewardship, and food systems education through hands-on experiences in schools and community spaces throughout the city.

We are proud to share that New Britain ROOTS Program Manager Jenna Van Donselaar was honored as a recipient of the YWCA New Britain Women in Leadership Award for 2026! Jenna’s dedication to youth programming, community engagement, and environmental education reflects the kind of leadership that continues to strengthen ROOTS and inspire the next generation of community leaders.

Our work reflects the continued energy and care that so many people bring to New Britain ROOTS each season. Whether planting trees, building garden beds, teaching students, or volunteering at community events, this work continues because of people like you who believe in it. Thank you!

CT Wealth Management, United Way of Central and NE CT and ROOTS at New Britain High School

🥕 Farmers' Market Season Starting Soon! 🧺

🚐 Stay tuned for this year's Mobile Market schedule! 🍅

& catch us at the New Britain farmers' markets this summer & fall:

  • WEDNESDAYS, 11am-2pm (OPENING JUNE 3!): Main Street Market, Downtown/Central Park

  • MONDAYS, 4-7pm (OPENING JULY 6): Walnut Hill Park, concerts at 7 pm!

🌽🌽 DOUBLE SNAP BENEFITS! 🍓🍓

🌱 Can you help New Britain ROOTS grow in the coming seasons? 🌳

Community support remains essential to sustaining New Britain ROOTS programs and expanding access to fresh food, environmental education, and green spaces throughout the city.
Every garden built, tree planted, class taught, and harvest shared is made possible through the support of this community. We are deeply grateful for your continued encouragement, partnership, and belief in the mission of New Britain ROOTS.
Please consider a $12 gift to New Britain ROOTS celebrating 12 years of growth!

Our seeds and trees are planted, garden beds are ready, and market season is around the corner: we're looking forward to the summer, fall, and many more seasons of growing community connection and food access for generations to come.
Thank you for growing community food systems with us!
With gratitude for where we started, appreciation for what we continue to grow, and commitment to a just, sustainable future,

Your New Britain ROOTS Staff & Board of Directors

New Britain ROOTS