The pandemic has been challenging our community, but it hasn’t all been bad. It’s the resiliency, kindness, and empathy of Boston people that inspires us to give back to our community.

Small businesses adapted their businesses to curbside groceries, and delivering goods. Individuals started mutual aid funds to support neighbors that may be struggling, they supported small businesses that were also struggling, and so much more.

Boston Organics has had our own challenges, we have been supported by so many wonderful individuals and businesses, and we have spread the love to others in our community. Here’s a run down of the cyclical nature of giving back to the Boston community…

Keeping our essential workers fueled

Since the pandemic started, Boston Organic’s office deliveries slowed down as people transitioned to working remotely at home. While office staff can still enjoy our home deliveries at a discount, offices have shifted their fruit deliveries to donations! On a weekly basis, their fruit deliveries have been donated to essential workers and the food insecure (through our partnership with Food For Free). So far, they have donated over 200 deliveries to organizations like Mass. General Hospital, Eliot Community Health Services, Mass. Ear & Eye, New England Center & Home for Veterans, and more!

A huge thank you to the following offices that have contributed and continue to donate to essential workers and the food insecure: Numeric Investors LLC, Navem Partners, Pierce Atwood LLP, Scratch Foundation, TIFF Investment Management, Verde Farms and more. 

Fruit donation to Mass General Hospital essential workers (pic from MGH’s cfpwb Facebook)

If your office is interested in reoccurring donations (read more). If your office has donated and would like to be listed, please contact [email protected] 

Healthy snacks for volunteers

In April, we donated fruit to the volunteers at Charlestown Face Shield Project. All of the face shields were assembled by volunteers, and sent to essential workers. Some of the project’s highlights:

  • Over 30,000 face shield made by volunteers
  • Donated to over 150 Medical Facilities in 12 States
  • Donated to every Major Boston Hospital and all major hospital networks in MA
  • Donated to some of the hardest hit NY locations and even The Navajo Nation
  • Our all-volunteer team consisted of over 70 volunteers and 25 companies  

The face shields (pic from CFSP Facebook)

The essential workers (pic from CFSP Facebook)


Part of the Charlestown Face Shield Project team (pic from CFSP Facebook)

Shelf stable items to Greater Boston Food Bank

During the height of the pandemic in March to May, all food systems were experiencing consumer ‘panic buying’. All grocery stores (brick and mortar & online) were selling out of pasta/rice, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, beans, etc. Overall the local food supply and demand was in constant fluctuation. A huge thank you to the whole B.O. Crew that showed up every day to make sure deliveries were fulfilled, remained in high spirits, and lifted each other up as the uncertainty lingered. Another huge thank you to our customers who were patient with us during this time while we hired new staff and current staff temporarily took on new warehouse roles.

We found a way to support our local producers by purchasing their products, and also support people in our community by donating 3 pallets worth of shelf stable items to the Greater Boston Food Bank! We were able to support the following businesses and donate the following items:

  • Evy Tea – cold brewed tea. They completely matched our donation!
  • Taza Chocolate – chocolate. Provided a discount so we could purchase more from them!
  • Seven Hills Pasta Co. – pasta. Provided a discount so we could purchase more from them and donated additional boxes!
  • Kitchen Garden Farm – sriracha chili sauce. Provided a discount so we could purchase more from them!
  • 88 Acres Foods – seed butters. They completely matched our donation!
  • Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee Company – coffee beans. They donated additional boxes!
  • Equal Exchange – chocolate and tea.
  • MapleMama Craft Sparkling Beverages – sparkling beverages. They completely matched our donation!
  • Boston Organics – bulk items of nuts, trail mix, and granola.

the start of virtual tips

And they’re here to stay! All of our staff works hard to make sure our customers can eat healthy and contribute to a sustainable food system. We started accepting virtual tips! Our warehouse staff are sometimes unsung heroes starting their work day as early as 5:00 AM. Our driving staff verify your dairy items, and deliver it in the right location. With virtual tips, both warehouse and driving staff are compensated for their hard work and no cash in the delivery vans make drivers’ work day safer.

thank you!

If you’ve made it this far in the blog post… Thank you, thank you, thank you! We couldn’t build a healthy food system without our customers, network of farmers/suppliers, and other local businesses. The pandemic isn’t over, but sometimes you have to reflect on the positive to manifest more. Our hearts are full and we’re happy we can keep your bellies full.

We’re still accepting donations for Thanksgiving (ending in Dec 2020).