By Cindy Christy Fertsch
If you’ve met Paige Vaccaro, the thing you are most likely to remember is her smile, friendly demeanor and her passion for the people in her community. Voccaro is a leader and like many leaders, she wears a lot of hats. She is a mother, a teacher, a poet, a leader and a visionary.
Vaccaro is the founder of C.R.O.P.S. (Communities Revolutionizing Public Spaces) a NJ 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission goes beyond the gardens and farmer’s markets that they are most well known for. Vaccaro’s vision for C.R.O.P.S. includes connecting communities and putting people side by side to get to know each other as humans and individuals, thus breaking down racism and stereotypes.
In 2016, C.R.O.P.S. launched the wildly successful Linwood Farmers Market. In 2017, C.R.OP.S. first garden was developed at Covenant House in Atlantic City. It has since evolved into a garden club, with 30 minutes spent gardening and then 30 minutes spent cooking the fruits and vegetables of their labor. C.R.O.P.S. has since expanded to three garden locations and several farmers markets throughout Atlantic and Cape May Counties.
One of Vaccaro’s greatest achievements includes bringing back the Pleasantville Farmers Market. “Every community has room to grow. Some need more help than others,” explained Vaccaro. “Supporting our work helps us build positive events, improve access to healthy food, and support small businesses.”
Proceeds from the markets go right back into the community, supporting garden projects, produce giveaways, educational programming, paid internships and more. Vaccaro, founder of CROPS, and Lisa Newcomb run the CROPS programs, as co-presidents and are supported by a board of directors. They are always looking for new volunteers and financial support. A recent victory for the organization is that they now accept SNAP benefits at their markets.
“The thing I love about C.R.O.P.S. is its understated elegance,” explains Voccaro. “We put our hands in dirt, but what we create is so valuable – more so than the vegetables – we are connecting people and communities.”
Vaccaro is a Henry Rutgers Scholar and holds a Masters degree in Education. She is a former school teacher and has taught in multiple public schools including Baltimore, Brooklyn, Newark and Ocean Township. Vaccaro relocated to Linwood in 2014 and quickly envisioned C.R.O.P.S. as a means to revitalize the community and connect people. By encouraging people to connect with nature and with one another, she believes everyone benefits. Voccaro is a modern day Johnny Appleseed. Though you will see her in the garden planting seeds, she is really planting another more valuable seed …. small positive gestures that have a deep and lasting impact.
Voccaro is also one of three moderators for the Black Lives Matter – South Jersey Facebook page which currently has 1,800 followers. She leads an online poetry group. Most recently, Voccaro was chosen to be featured in a film titled “United We Feel” featuring three poets paired with dancers.
Busy is an understatement for Voccaro. You will often see her at the markets or in the gardens with her four children in tow, ranging from 7-13 years old. Interestingly, each is named after a superhero. “They always complain when we have to go” shares Voccaro. “But in school, I notice they often write about it and that they want to be like their mom.”
What’s next for C.R.O.P.S.? “We would love to have our own center, with an indoor and outdoor space,” says Voccaro. For more information, follow CROPS on social media, Facebook.com/CROPSMarkets or on Instagram @cropsnj
