Boxes of fresh vegetables are making their way straight from a local farm to the Food Bank for Westchester, and a farmer is working to get people to grow their own food.

Douglass Decandia, 29, also known as "Farmer Doug," has run the Bedford Hills farm for the past five years. The Katonah native's work helps to supply more than 39,000 servings of organic vegetables and fruits a year to the food bank.

"I wanted to grow good food for people, for the masses, without having money be an issue," says Decandia.

The garden includes jalapeno peppers, tomatoes, kale and much more.

Over the years, everyone from inmates to emotionally challenged youths have assisted at the farm. Now, Decandia is getting people whom he helps feed involved in the process of growing their own food.

Decandia says the goal is clear: "To teach people and have people become reconnected with where their food is coming from," he says.

The Arc in Mount Kisco is one of four area shelters to start its own small farm. If all goes according to plan, Decandia will help build five new farms a year at area shelters.