As we reflect on another remarkable year of growth and community, we are thrilled to share the exciting milestones from our food justice initiatives at The Common Place (TCP). Together, we’ve sown seeds of hope, harvested the fruits of our labor, and expanded access to fresh, healthy food for our Southwest Philadelphia neighbors.
This year has seen incredible developments, including the establishment of a brand-new garden at Southwest Presbyterian Church, featuring 9 raised beds that have already contributed to our mission of food sovereignty. Together, our gardens have produced approximately 400 pounds of fresh produce this season, helping to provide healthy food to families in need. Our deepest thanks go to our incredible partners—Sankofa Farms, Trellis for Tomorrow, and the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge at Tinnicum—for their expertise and support throughout the season. Thanks to a special collaboration with the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge, we also established a beautiful pollinator garden, enhancing the local ecosystem and boosting biodiversity in our urban gardens.
This progress would not have been possible without the generous support of our congregational partners. We are especially grateful to Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, Zion Baptist Church of Ambler, and Wayne Presbyterian Church for their financial contributions, which have enabled us to continue expanding our programs. Additionally, volunteers from Germantown Academy and Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church Children’s Ministry donated their time and energy to help maintain our gardens—a true testament to the power of community involvement.
Our gardens are not just places of growth; they are part of a much larger network of food distribution. In partnership with Salt & Light Community Church, we’ve been running a weekly food distribution, ensuring that fresh, healthy produce reaches more than 100 families in need. This vital service will continue throughout the winter months, and we are excited to announce that Salt & Light will now host a weekly community meal every Wednesday at 6 PM, creating a space where nourishment and fellowship come together.
We’re also proud to highlight our grant successes this year. Thanks to a generous grant from the W.W. Smith Foundation, we were able to purchase and install a new walk-in refrigerator/freezer combo. This essential equipment has significantly increased our storage capacity, allowing us to keep more produce fresh and available for distribution. We have also applied for additional funding from the William Penn Foundation to help preserve urban garden spaces and secure the future of our food sovereignty efforts.
As we prepare for the colder months, we’ll be closing two of our outdoor gardens this week, but our hydroponics garden will remain operational year-round, thanks to our partnership with Green Our Planet. This innovative system ensures that we can continue to grow and distribute fresh produce even during the winter season.
Looking ahead to 2025, we invite you to stay engaged with our mission. Watch for announcements about planting, maintenance, and harvesting days, as well as service opportunities like Hopefest and other community events. Your involvement helps us create a more sustainable, equitable future for all.
Finally, we encourage you to support TCP’s food sovereignty initiatives by making a donation. Your contributions help us grow, sustain, and expand our efforts. To give, please visit tcpphilly.org/give. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier Southwest Philadelphia.
With gratitude and excitement for what’s to come,
