Southwest Philadelphia a Food Desert
Southwest Philadelphia is home to over 40,000 residents – spanning 3 zip codes in the nation’s 5th most populated city. Many of the families who live in this large neighborhood are below the poverty line and experience food insecurities on a daily basis. According to the USDA, a food desert is defined as “…parts of the country vapid of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods, usually found in impoverished areas. This is largely due to a lack of grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and healthy food providers.”
While “corner stores” are abundant in Philly neighborhoods, food quality is poor, fresh fruits and vegetables are largely unavailable, and food is usually priced higher than at local supermarkets. In addition, local markets that provide fresh foods are not easily accessible, especially to those who do not own a car.
Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods! Most families live in row-homes that feature small lawns, or none at all. The majority of those homes with lawns do not have vegetable gardens. Many children do not even know how the food they eat makes it to their plates (since their only references are the local corner stores). A community garden addresses these issues by providing SW Philly children and their families with education on how to grow and prepare healthy foods.
Bunny’s Garden
In August, The Common Place raised approximately $4,000.00 to develop a community garden to teach children in Southwest Philly about healthy foods from seed to plate in conjunction with our community cooking classes. We have already begun the process of developing the garden at 58th & Cecil Streets that will address the need for access and education surrounding healthy nutrition.
The community garden is named in honor of Vladrena “Bunny” Burke who passed away suddenly on May 3rd, 2019. Bunny was the mother of Gene Burke who is the Director of Outreach and Fundraising Administration at The Common Place. Bunny was known for her larger-than-life personality, concern for her neighbors, culinary skill, and her green thumb. Bunny often grew her own fruits and vegetables to use in her recipes or to give away to her neighbors. Her legacy lives on through the endeavors at The Common Place by addressing nutrition insecurities in Southwest Philadelphia.
Beautifying Our Community
Did you know that green spaces improve the mental health of community residents? Community gardens have a way of adding beauty and life to an otherwise barren and gritty urban landscape. Not to mention that gardens improve local air quality and attract butterflies!
Watch this video about Bunny’s Garden!
How can I help?
We are looking for volunteers to help us build the Bunny’s Garden on Saturday, October 12th, 2019, at The Common Place. The work will begin at 10 AM until noon. Tools and lights refreshments will be provided! To RSVP, and for more information on this, please contact Hannah Johnson at hannahj@thecommonplacephilly.org
Youth mission volunteers from Buffalo, NY with Gene Burke after digging out a stump from the ground.
Thank you from Gene:
“Thank you in advance for your help and support – whether monetarily or otherwise. Donating to this cause will help our organization fulfill our mission to serve children in Southwest Philadelphia through educational programming and social service collaboration. We are looking forward to partnering with you to make our community a better place to call home!” – Gene Burke
