Our Vision for the Future

Food is at the core of what we do at IGI.

We feed. We grow. We educate. We advocate.

How we grow it matters; what we eat matters and how we reduce food waste matters. If we eat differently, if we grow using regenerative practices, if we reduce food waste and turn it into compost, then we mitigate climate change and protect our Island for years to come.

Our vision will create a central core for all of our activities and initiatives.
• Working Farm anchored by Education & Innovation Center and housing
• Island Food Center anchored by the Food Pantry
• An Endowment to invest in new initiatives and innovation

Education & Innovation Center and Housing

Education is critical to achieving our goals.

We believe building affordable housing is an investment in our hardworking staff today and in the Vineyard of tomorrow.

Island Food Center

A place to fulfill our vision for food equity for all Islanders, a place to ensure a healthier community. To do that we need a permanent home for the Island Food Pantry, a year round commercial kitchen, and warehouse space with expanded storage.

Testimonials

“Of all the development proposals the Martha’s Vineyard Commission has received since its inception, none is as exciting and extraordinary as the Island Grown Initiative master plan. This is a gift from the Island community to itself. The plan has the long-term educational potential to move the Island closer to a more sustainable food and energy future.” 

Rob Kendall
Tisbury

“I can’t say enough about what a great project this is. Rebecca and everyone who has worked out there has done such a great job of making this a huge asset to the Island and showing how agriculture can be done to provide fresh local produce for the community. Working with South Mountain is just another great addition to this project. It’s a great project that’s been well thought out. As you know I’ve been on the commission for a long time and I don’t think I’ve ever heard as good a presentation as this and trying to address all the issues that the MVC is concerned with.”

Richard Toole
Public Testimony

“I echo the comments of my colleagues. It’s obviously a very well thought out and I believe well designed project. I enjoy or appreciate very much that this project reestablishes a tradition of a business providing worker housing on the premises which I assume or which I hope makes good business sense for the bottom line as well as helping us achieve our housing goals.”

Michael Kim
Governor’s Appointee, MVC