Stories

Lisa Evans and Tim Smith founded We Grow Microgreen greenhouse and farm in Hyde Park, Boston, MA in 2019. It has a 4,600-square-foot greenhouse plus two garden tunnels on approximately 1 acre of land. The farm grows microgreens, herbs, tea…

“Math is everywhere”. But for some children it’s just inside the school building. “Math should also be fun”. For children in underserved communities, math can be a source of anxiety for them and their caregivers.  How do we help children…

Ms. Shana Bryant is the founder of Shana Bryant Consulting, a thriving consultancy serving government agencies, small businesses, and nonprofits. Ms. Bryant’s journey began as a young mother determined to provide stability for her family and to complete her education.…

Explore the vibrant spirit of Seward Cooperative, a unique blend of worker and consumer co-op located in the heart of Minneapolis, MN—an epicenter of the food coop movement. With 23,000 member-owners, Seward Co-op recently underwent a transformative renovation of its…

The Student Cooperative is getting rehabbed with help from a LEAF loan

The “Food Conspiracy” is a food co-op in Tucson, AZ that began in 1971. In 2024 Food Conspiracy has 3000 member-owners. Food Conspiracy Co-op commemorates 50 years of Cooperation by completing a project the Owners and community have envisioned for…

Carol Ann: LEAF’s CFO Brings Financial Expertise and Compassion We are thrilled to introduce a new addition to the LEAF team, Ms. Carol Ann McAuliffe, Chief Financial Officer. With finance knowledge and a commitment to community development, Carol Ann brings…

Cozinha Gourmet was established by Rita Assunção, a native of Minas Gerais, Brazil, who inherited her culinary legacy from her grandmother. Upon relocating to the United States, Rita asked a question: how could she express her gratitude to the mothers…

A manufactured housing community, Bonnie’s Place, Missoula Montana “In my hometown of Missoula, the home where I lived for 30 years and where I’d raised my family, this manufactured housing community, was getting ready to be sold,” Brian Lease, board…

Dave Dumaresq grew up on Marsh Hill in Dracut, Massachusetts. At an early age, he began working on the Brox Farm in Dracut, learning the intricacies of New England farming from John Brox who had been tilling that land since…

Fresh Food Generation (FFG) is a restaurant and caterer based in Dorchester, MA which grew from its popular food truck. FFG offers a fresh, healthy take on familiar Caribbean-American recipes. (Co-founded by Jackson Renshaw and Cassandria Campbell) In 2021 Massachusetts…

Bay State Banner Gives Voice to the Black Community LEAF is proud to support the Bay State Banner. The Bay State Banner has been a Black-owned newspaper since its founding in 1965. The Bay State Banner has been a leader…