Urban Farm Shortens Distance From Farm To Table At Food Cupboard
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The distance from "Farm to Table" will be very short for clients of the Lutheran Settlement House. Volunteers started work yesterday on what they're calling an "urban farm," across the street from the Kensington facility, that will provide fresh ingredients for its lunch program and food cupboard.
The corner of Frankford and Master has come full circle from William Penn's "Green Countrie Towne," to heavily industrialized, and now back to a small scale farm.
"We're going to have 24 gardening beds and we would really like to be able to provide daily fresh fruits and vegetables for all our seniors and for hungry community members."
Lutheran Settlement House executive director Kelly Davis says the project has many benefits. Teens from homeless shelters and domestic abuse programs will work the farm and learn about nutrition and cooking. And it's helping integrate newcomers to the gentrifying community.
"The restaurant that's coming to our corner? They've already committed to buying basil from us and we've talked to Johnny Brenda's about selling them mint for their mojitos."
Davis says she hopes to expand the program in the future.
