Farm to Families Initiative
Farm to Families works with community-based organizations to address availability and affordability of fresh food in North Philadelphia by:
- Facilitating the purchase, packaging, and distribution of fresh, affordable weekly boxes of produce along with meat and eggs from local farmers.
- Providing food and nutrition education, including food budgeting and shopping tips, basic food preparation and cooking skills, and demonstrations and taste tests, aligned with the weekly boxes.
- Leading policy change efforts to make fresh, local food available and affordable in the food deserts of Philadelphia.
Each week Farm to Families supplies North Philadelphia families with boxes of produce from local farmers at a cost of only $10 or $15. Boxes are brimming with fresh fruits and vegetables, often valued at double the price. Additional fresh items including eggs, meat, and seafood are also offered at affordable prices. Cash, credit, and SNAP benefits are all accepted for payment.
In an innovative effort to target families who are at highest risk, we are collaborating with physicians at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children who are writing “prescriptions” to the program for children seen through their Ambulatory Pediatrics Division, GROW Clinic, and Healthy Lifestyles Program. Families may opt to order and pick up their boxes at either the Hospital or one of four additional distribution sites in the community.
The program is open to all who live, work or worship in North Philadelphia through the following public distribution sites:
Community Partnership School
T: 215-235-0461
Email: F2F@CPSPhilly.org
Church of the Advocate
1801 West Diamond Street
(Entrance on 18th Street)
New Kensington CDC
T: 215-427-0350 x110
Email: f2f@nkcdc.org
NKCDC Garden Center
1825 Frankford Avenue
(corner of Frankford & Berks)
Norris Square Neighborhood Project
T: 215-634-2227
Email: food@myneighborhoodproject.org
2141 N. Howard Street
(between Diamond and W Susquehanna Ave)
St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children
T: 215-910-2901
Email: sharline.heller@tenethealth.com
3601 A Street
(off of Front & Erie Ave. in the Nelson Pavilion)
St. Philip’s United Methodist Church
T: 215-627-5550 x207
Email: f2f@wcrpphila.com
700 E. Tioga Street
(corner of F & Tioga)
For further information about the Farm to Families program, please contact Ann Hoskins-Brown, Program Director at 215-568-1126 or via email at ahb@scfchildren.org