Greensgrow Farm Stand
Welcome to the 2008 season at Greengrow Farm
If you 've been by the farm lately, you 'll have noticed a lot of changes from last year. After deciding to reign in a few of our far-flung activities, we 've re-dedicated ourselves to our immediate neighborhood and continued investing a lot of resources into the original farm site on Cumberland Street. The results have been overwhelmingly positive and we think you'll join us in appreciating the changes.
One big change is the new field office taking shape in the plant display lot. We hope this structure will become a ìgreenî building complete with composting toilets, a living roof, and solar panels to provide electricity for our staff computers. Inside will contain a small office and plenty of retail space for a variety of locally-made crafts and other garden supplies. The new ìfieldî office should also provide easier access to Greensgrow staff for answers to your questions, and help customers find exactly what they 're looking for.
Also in the works is a new Farm Stand structure currently being conceived by a group of Industrial Design students from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. The students will spend this semester observing how staff and visitors use the site and help us evaluate more effective uses for our space. They are also developing prototypes of some of our specialty tools, and hopefully will end the semester by designing and building our new Farm Stand. It 's a heavy workload for these young engineers but we 're looking forward to hearing their ideas.
You will also notice our key programs expanding as we find new ways to serve our community of supporters. The CSA this year will grow to 215 members, and the nursery will gradually be extending its operating schedule into a year-round business, offering customers more open days, greater selection, and even some winter options. And keep your eyes along the fence as our new plantings begin to fill your approach to Greensgrow with the sights and smells of spring.
Thanks for your continued support and we look forward to sharing another season with you.
Fresh, Local, Delicious
Continuing our mission of bringing Philadelphians quality produce and locally prepared provisions, Greensgrow opens its Farm Stand with a fresh look in Spring 2008
We bring the best produce from our region’s family farms in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and are constantly seeking new sources for the freshest, highest quality fare the region has to offer.
Last year, Linvilla Orchards in nearby Delaware County gave us sugary, dribble-down-your-chin, juicy peaches and, from southern New Jersey, Gaventa’s Farm provided us with sweet, sweet corn before the 4th of July.
Lancaster County always brought in tomatoes that made New Jersey jealous. Those may be fighting words but, the proof was in the tomato.
At Greensgrow, we worked our magic to yield tender, tasty greens from the hydroponics system, and basil grown in bags gave us the main ingredient to make pesto that would make Nona kiss us twice.
Along with the vegetables and fruit coming in, Greensgrow will continue to provide Lancaster free range eggs, whole milk yogurt, sweet butter and artisan cheeses. Breads from Slow Rise, Sarcones and Wild Flour Bakeries will be back. Hormone free, pastured meats from local purveyor/farmers like Meadow Run, Country Time and Buck Run should almost complete your shopping list. (For more information on farms that we work with, see our Farmer Profiles.)
What’s left? Pick up one of our homemade pies for dessert and a bouquet of flowers for the centerpiece. Call friends and family to the table because it’s time to eat: one of Greensgrow’s other passions.
The Farm Stand is open seasonally at our Cumberland Street Location. It is accessible by public transportation and plenty of ticket free parking is available. Credit cards, Senior Farm Market and WIC coupons are gladly accepted. Farm Stand opening date to be determined by nature. Check back and the berries will let us know.
Integrated Pest Management - IPM
Greenhouse growers at Greensgrow Farms in Philadelphia are benefiting from a pest management program that limits or eliminates the need for chemical pesticides. Click here to read more about IPM.