H.E.A.L.E.D Angels - A Dr. Roni Martha's Vineyard Retreat

Martha’s Vineyard, an island off the coast of Massachusetts, is often synonymous with luxury and affluence, known for its influx of wealthy visitors and summer homeowners. However, beneath this surface of affluence, the year-round residents grapple with significant challenges, especially food security. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated an already difficult situation, with many full-time residents struggling to feed their families.

According to the Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation, local residents now spend 40-50% of their income on housing, leaving little for essentials like food. Rising inflation, driven by high energy costs plus the ensuing job losses, has further strained household budgets, especially on the island, where the cost of procuring food is increased by the cost of shipping. Stepping off the ferry, islanders immediately face a 20% increase in the cost of food and goods.

Food Insecurity - A Surprizing Problem

The Vineyard Gazette highlights a hidden but growing crisis: food insecurity. In the summer of 2022, the Island Food Pantry saw a 52% increase in visits compared to the previous year, with 620 residents seeking assistance weekly. Over 3,000 residents are registered with the pantry—double the number from before the pandemic. Local organization Island Grown Initiative (IGI) reported serving 1,892 people in January 2023, an 86% year-over-year increase, with 14 new households registering weekly. These are shocking statistics highlighting the dire need for improvement in food security starting with improved access to affordable food.

As the island’s economy heavily relies on seasonal tourism, residents often find themselves stretching nine months of work to cover a full year’s expenses. The senior population is particularly vulnerable, as fixed incomes like social security are insufficient to meet rising costs, and so they choose between heat and groceries.

Growing To Give - Our Mission

In response to these challenges, Growing to Give and H.E.A.L.E.D Angels, a Martha’s Vineyard-based nonprofit founded by celebrity naturopath Dr. Roni DeLuz, are joining forces. Our goal is to reduce the island’s dependence on imported food by increasing local food production and availability. By growing double to quadruple the food in the same space as traditional farming supports on the island, we aim to alleviate some of the hardships faced by residents and provide increased access to a greater abundance of fresh, high-quality, nutritious produce, which will improve the health and well-being of the community. At the same time, the farming systems we employ are sustainable, using fewer of the planet’s precious resources, including water and fertilizer. Less water aligns with the vital focus on conserving fresh water. Less fertilizer which means far less contaminated runoff into the local waterways and Atlantic Ocean. It is these two aspects of our community farms that placed us among the finalists of the world’s largest environmental prize, the Food Planet Prize. We also aim to employ islanders for farm management and post-harvest food production providing additional income even during the slow months of the year.

Our Vision

We envision solidifying food security on Martha’s Vineyard and creating a vibrant local food production industry. From seasonal farm-fresh produce sold to local eateries and grocery stores, and even a weekend farm market on-site, to the creation of value-added products like jams, jellies, salsa, spices, essential oils, soaps, and wellbeing items. These products will be sold during the tourist season through local shops and to local inns, restaurants, hotels, and bed-and-breakfasts, generating income for both the project and the people of the island.

We see the collaboration between Dr. Roni’s retreats and the community farm to be an attraction bringing more focus on the need for funds and farms to support the community’s food security.

Our Partners - Dr.Roni

Dr. Roni DeLuz, a licensed naturopathic doctor and certified holistic health practitioner, is a key partner in this initiative. As the founder of the Martha’s Vineyard Retreat and HEALED Therapy Spa, she brings a wealth of experience in holistic health. Dr. Roni is well known for her New York Times bestsellers “21 Pounds in 21 Days” and “1 Pound a Day.” She believes that Martha’s Vineyard can be a place of healing, where holistic practices are integrated with community food growing projects.

Another key partner is Feel Good Share Good, led by Gillian Murray, Growing to Give's Chief Strategist. Gillian’s team will spearhead fundraising, event planning, and management for the farm and retreat aspects of the project.

Our Goals

Our primary goal is to purchase farmland we have already scoped out on Martha’s Vineyard for a community-focused farm that will supply fresh produce to island residents. A portion of the harvest will be donated directly to the Island Food Pantry. The remaining produce will be sold to Dr. Roni’s retreat, which offers health detoxes to clients who stay on the island, as well as to local grocery stores and restaurants. Revenues will also come from the sale of our unique gardening systems that tourists can take to their homes on or off island. The revenue generated will be reinvested into the farm, enabling us to increase food production each season, create local jobs, and acquire additional land for future expansion.

Help us improve food security in Martha’s Vineyard by donating $300. Your donation will help feed hundreds of islanders that struggle to provide affordable, fresh produce for their families each and every day.

Community Engagement

We will collaborate closely with local food pantries, charitable organizations, and the broader community to enhance food security through sustainable growing practices. Our programs will include:

• Educational Programs: On-farm health and well-being programs for local schoolchildren, retreat clients and other interested parties, teaching sustainable farming and gardening practice to encourage home growing and the nutritional value of fresh produce.

• Fundraising Events: Targeted at affluent summer residents and retreat clients, these events will support farm expansion and the food security initiative.

• Farm-to-Table Experiences: Celebrity and local chefs will be invited to host farm-to-fork events on the farm, raising awareness of the island’s food security challenges.

• Wellness Activities: Yoga and meditation classes on the farm, plus volunteer opportunities for planting and harvesting, will provide physical fitness opportunities, foster a deeper connection with the community and spread the word about this powerful food security program.

Together, we can build a sustainable future for Martha’s Vineyard—one where every resident has access to fresh, nutritious food, and where the island’s economy thrives with resilience and community spirit.