In a few of my classes this past semester, we discussed Germantown - a neighborhood in Philadelphia, PA. What's so cool about Germantown is the relatively recent collaboration among their historic sites {aka Historic Germantown Freedom's Backyard}. Basically, each of the sites involved {more or less classic house museums set in a not so ritzy area} realized that they were struggling to make a profit/barely making ends meet &, worst of all, they were not connecting in any way with their neighbors. Some of the residents in Germantown didn't know these places existed or felt they weren't for them. So, these 15 historic groups formed a collaboration to make themselves more visible in the area - & a united front sort of makes it easier to apply for grants. They do events together in the neighborhood, offer 3 for 2 tickets, & so on & so forth. However, the place I found most interesting - for a very specific reason -was Wyck.
Wyck's thing is sort of agriculture & farming -all in an urban setting. They have a Home Farm that they wanted to put to use - especially as a way to connect with their neighbors. Created in 2007 with a few goals in mind: {quote taken from website} "The farm grows food for a weekly on-site farmers’ market; it stands as an interactive, outdoor classroom for local children and adults; it perpetuates Wyck’s 300 years old agricultural traditions; and it enhances the bucolic landscape that visitors to Wyck have long enjoyed."
Farmers markets & urban gardening are wonderful, wonderful things. But Wyck went further. They want to make this fresh, local food available & affordable to their neighbors, who, probably can't afford weekly shopping trips at Whole Foods. {Taken from website} "Customers can use food stamps and the $5 vouchers distributed through the federally funded Farmers Market Nutrition Program."
The section about their Home Farm ends with a lovely quote: "Urban farming, put simply, is farming with neighbors. And so the cultivation of food becomes a way to cultivate relationships. The multiple functions of the Wyck Home Farm allow us to develop these relationships and fulfill our mission to enrich and strengthen community life. We accomplish this by distributing fresh, chemical-free food within the neighborhood, by renewing Germantown’s history, and by serving as both an educational and aesthetic resource."
I did some sleuthing around the Massachusetts Farmer's Markets website to see if Food Stamps {or some equivalent} were accepted at local markets in this state. Turns out 38 Farmers Markets in Massachusetts accept SNAP. View the complete list of these here. That's not a wicked big amount & most of them are located in Boston, very close metro-Boston towns, or in nearby North Shore areas. The South Shore is lacking representation, especially towns in Bristol County {aka where New Bedford is located}. Now, New Bedford has a Farmer's Market -actually it has 3! Located at Brooklawn Park, Wings Court, & Clasky Common. View complete list here. That's great, actually, & all on different days: Monday, Thursday, & Saturday. So, a lot of options, but none accept SNAP - could be something to consider?
