I hug my farmers, but it’s not weird — I promise. We’re friends! On Tuesday, May 7, at noon, my farmer friends and I will be at Henry Got Crops Farm Market to kick off the 2019 season.

Over the winter while the fields were frozen, the team was busy planning for the new season. The sustainable and urban farming conferences we attended featured fascinating presentations and discussions. Topics included modern farming challenges due to a changing climate, dollar-matching food initiatives at farmers’ markets to combat food insecurity, the problem of food waste and its link to poverty, our country’s shameful past of indigenous land theft, institutional racism in the food system, barriers for queer farmers, and the history of the cooperative movement during the Civil Rights era. 

I’m returning to the farm with a feeling of gratitude. Thanks to the Co-op’s members and community partners, we’re tackling contemporary food justice issues. Without our partnerships with Food Moxie, the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation, Awbury Arboretum, and W.B. Saul Agricultural High School, we would not be able to make fresh, nourishing, affordable food accessible to our Weavers Way, CSA, Saul, and Northwest Philly community. Our farms strengthen the local food system and support Philly’s flourishing urban agriculture movement. 

The farm market exists to highlight the bounty of our farms’ harvests, but our visitors can also purchase a variety of quality products from local vendors and growers. We’ve dedicated shelf space to new local products and have brought back some old favorites. Christina Maser’s soy candles, gourmet jams, and fruity vinaigrettes are here, as well as Stryker Farm meats and Eat Nice vegan ravioli. Our fridges and freezers are stocked with bubbly drinks and decadent ice cream sandwiches. We even carry “green” cleaning products if spring cleaning is still on your to-do list.  

We accept EBT cards, WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers, and Philly Food Bucks. Co-op member discounts (working member, senior, and Food For All) apply to all farm market purchases, and all Co-op members and Saul students get extra discounts on everything we grow. 

When you return to shop this spring, you may see familiar faces behind the register. Our fabulous farm market assistants, Saul student Shayona Tyler and farmer Marlise Frame, will be back and we warmly welcome new farmer Chelsea Mackie to the team.

I’m looking forward to first harvests of mustard greens and paw paws, and I’m excited for fun at the farm! We’ve ramped up this year’s farm events programming to keep you and your family curious, entertained, and outdoors all season long. Check out the Co-op’s Events Calendar for workshops on DIY fermenting, seasonal cooking, plein air painting, herbal healing, and more. We’ll host ‘Ask the Nutritionist’ hours with the Neighborhood Nutrition Team, and two of our most popular events will return — our flower arranging workshop and family movie night.

We want to create an inviting space for visitors and students to relax in nature, enjoy educational workshops, and snack on an ice cream sandwich in the shade on a hot afternoon. To make our farm and market even more welcoming, we’ve compiled a “wish list” with Food Moxie containing items that will enhance our space. Please consider either purchasing or sponsoring the purchase of items on our wish list.

Thank you for the ongoing support of your farms! See you soon!