While “sustainable living” and “organic” eating are popular concepts these days, the folks at Westbay Community Action are using the most obvious form of the two to feed area residents in need: a farm.

That farm, which sits on city owned property on Centerville Road, yielded about 10,000 pounds of produce over the last five years. That produce is then predominately distributed at the Westbay Community Marketplace; a food pantry located on 205 Buttonwoods Avenue open to residents who demonstrate financial hardship.

Smaller portions of the food are then used for the Senior Meals Program, or sold at a local market stand. The profits are used to fund the farming program.

Now, Westbay Community Action is asking residents to vote for the farm in Edible Rhody magazine’s annual ‘Best Of’ contest to choose a local food community hero. The deadline for voting is this Friday. Edible Rhody is a magazine that supports local farming and food sourcing.

To vote, visit www.ediblecommunities.com/content/local-heroes/local-heroes-awards.htm and scroll down, click Edible Rhody, and type in ‘Westbay Community Action and Barton Farm.’

Jeanne Gattegno, Westbay Community Action’s president and CEO, said the exposure and publicity could help the farm prosper, and thus feed more people.

Gattegno said the farm is the brainchild of Robert Goldman, a former employee who now runs a small nonprofit in Providence.

“We began looking at the idea of how to make the marketplace sustainable and growing our own food was a great way to do that,” said Gattegno.

Larry Coughlin, the program’s director of food services, said it is difficult for pantries like Westbay Marketplace to provide non-perishable foods, because of their short shelf lives. But the produce is an important part of the food chain, and shouldn’t be ignored by people simply because they’re poor.

“We have access to non-perishable stuff, but perishable stuff is more difficult. This farm fills that gap,” said Coughlin.

Oftentimes, he said, the food offered at food pantries isn’t in the condition that someone would prefer.

“What we’re growing at the farm is close to what you’ll get at Stop & Shop if not better. We offer these folks very high quality produce,” said Coughlin.

“Our goal was to not only feed people, but to offer them choices and the ability to eat right. If you’re in a situation where you’re stressed out and not eating right, you can run into health problems.”

Unfortunately, Coughlin said, due to the pesky New England winters, the farm operates from roughly the end of March until the end of October. There is a noticeable difference in the size and scope of the produce available at the pantry during those months, he said.

The farm is about two-acres in size, and Westbay Community Action has expanded the amount of land it uses for farming over the last few years, Coughlin said.

Gattegno said the farm has been difficult at times, but prosperous.

“It’s been a learning experience for all of us. We weren’t farmers,” said Gattegno. “That’s how we operate here at Westbay Community Action. When we opened the marketplace, it was just a lot of hard work and enthusiasm…we have flexibility. We have commitment, and a lot of people willing to help.”