For Individual Volunteers, NOT Groups
Help the free Boston Local Food Festival be zero waste, plus help break down/stack folding tables & chairs
WHEN
- Sunday 9/20/2026, 1:45pm-7:15pm
- Rain Date: 9/27/2026 , Optional - Sign up for either or both dates
-
Sign up by 9/10/2026
WHAT
Support Recycling/Composting + "Local Food for All" at the Boston Local Food Festival
WHERE
WHY
In order to reach <10% waste, PMD volunteers age 12+ will team up at stations (while standing most of the time) to educate and to engage the public in reusing event programs; composting food scraps and certified compostable containers; and recycling plastic containers, paper, and cardboard. Volunteers will provide positive reinforcement and optional hand-stamps and stickers for attendees who sort their waste correctly.
Registered volunteers will receive free meal vouchers (and time to eat lunch), t-shirts and disposable gloves, and will be able to explore this free festival BEFORE the PMD shift begins, any time 11am-1:45pm.
HOW
PMD canNOT accept any UNregistered, walk-in volunteers.
All volunteers must print and sign a Festival "Volunteer Waiver of Liability and Photo Release" that one can review when registering.
For volunteers ages 12-17, a parent/guardian must also co-sign printouts of PMD's waiver/release,
and for volunteers ages 12-15, a parent/guardian must also register individually and participate fully with the minor.
Call PMD if you cannot register online using qualtrics.
CALL THE PMD OFFICE at
After you register successfully for either (primary or rain) or both dates, you will see a confirmation screen and receive a confirmation email message, so be sure to save the date and times on your calendars AND add [email protected] to your address/white/allow list.
Then a few days before this project PMD will email specific details in a PDF, including directions to the project site by public transit and by car*, what to wear/expect, checklist, map, and form(s) to print, sign, and submit at at check-in on 9/20 -- Volunteers age 18+ provide their PMD consent when registering online, to minimize paper/printing/contact, but the Festival still requires signed, paper forms, and parents/guardians must print and sign both forms for minors who volunteer.
*We discourage folks from driving since there is no affordable, legal parking closer than public transit.
Expensive, underground garage parking at Rowe's Wharf (use spothero) parking may be available but cannot be guaranteed or subsidized.
WHO
This PMD project requires being able to lift 35 pounds unaided AND being in excellent health (and living with others who are also).This is a fragrance-free PMD project, meaning that participants must not wear perfume or cologne, or scented skin, hair, facial, body, or clothing/laundry products.
We recommend volunteers be age 12 or older, but will accept mature, younger volunteers accompanied by individually registered and fully participating adults.
Parents/guardians registering youth under age 12 should enter the youth's age as 12 when registering online, but enter the youth's true age as a Comment at the end.
For 33+ years, public charity People Making a Difference (PMD) has promoted informed and responsible volunteerism by involving people in tangible work that meets local needs and by assisting companies in building successful community involvement programs that:
- Produce appreciable results while conserving recipients' limited resources.
- Educate volunteers about broader issues.
- Bring people together to make a difference.
"We know that local food is delicious, healthy, and supports the local economy. So how can you, as an individual or as a community, support the local food system? Check out these 3 ways that you can become involved! -Participate in Community Supported Agriculture -Become a member of a food co-op -Pick your own produce" Chrissy Carroll, Snacking in Sneakers