Mission and Growing Practice

Our mission is to grow affordable vegetables using sustainable organic farming practices, thus advancing the health and wellbeing of the diverse communities of eastern Massachusetts. Our growing practices are guided by the principle of respecting and maintaining the symbiotic relationship between the soil, food, animals, and the environment.

Organic: We only use materials approved by the Organic Materials Review Institute – no synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or GMOs. Instead, we use organic practices such as crop rotation and intercropping to reduce pest pressure. As a small-scale operation, we are able to actively monitor our fields to catch early signs of harmful insect infestation and address them in a highly targeted way. By avoiding the use of even organic pesticides, we protect the beneficial insects that help our crops thrive.  

Affordable: Although our growing practices meet the standards required for certification, we have not applied for certified organic status. This allows us to reduce operating costs and keep our produce affordable and accessible. 

Sustainable: At Hannan Healthy Foods, we prioritize sustainability. To conserve water, we are planting vegetables, herbs, and fruits that need minimal or no washing. To retain moisture in the soil, we use mulched beds, drip irrigation, and silage tarps. Mulch and silage tarps have the additional benefit of preventing weed pressure on the farm. We are taking steps to transition to a no-till operation. 

Diverse: As a local, small-scale farm, we have the freedom to grow a diversity of produce outside of the typical fare stocked by large grocery stores. This freedom allows us to grow a wide variety of vegetables, many of which are commonly found in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. We love being able to provide new and exciting options to our neighbors who haven’t tried these vegetables before, as well as a fresh taste of home to those who have.