Greater Philadelphia Local Food Economy Leadership Awards

The Local Food Economy Leadership award recognizes Greater Philadelphia's food system leaders who have successfully leveraged collaborations with other stakeholders to create a more sustainable food system, and have garnered national attention, making this region a leader in local food system efforts. This award is the first part of a new technical and financial assistance program DVRPC is creating in partnership with the William Penn Foundation. This larger program seeks to build capacity within and expand recognition of Greater Philadelphia's emerging local food economy.

The awardees were recognized at DVRPC's Annual Dinner - a Celebration of Regional Excellence - in May 2009.

Fair Food - A Program of White Dog Community Enterprises

"Connecting you to local family farms"

Originally started as a program within White Dog Community Enterprises in 1999, Fair Food is dedicated to educating consumers, assisting farmers, and increasing distribution and sale of locally-produced food. This prominent organization also operates the Philadelphia chapter of the national Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign and runs an impressive Farm-to-Institution outreach effort, creating larger market shares for local farmers by connecting them to large wholesale buyers in Philadelphia, like hospitals and academic institutions. The Fair Food Farmstand, in Reading Terminal Market, is a visible retail outlet of Fair Food. Additionally, Fair Food and WDCE staff members have been instrumental in starting the independent non-profit organizations Sustainable Business Network in 2002 and, in 2008, the Common Market - a local food distributor based in Philadelphia. www.fairfoodphilly.org

Greensgrow Farm

"Growers of Food, Flowers and Neighborhoods"

Located in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, Greensgrow Farm was started as a hydroponic growing operation in 1998 on an abandoned brownfield. Today, Greensgrow operates a farm stand, nursery, and a "City-Supported Agriculture" (CSA) program. The innovative farm uses its location in a busy urban neighborhood as a consolidation point and outlet for locally-grown food produced by a network of farmers within a 75-mile radius of Philadelphia. Its parent, the Greensgrow Philadelphia Project continues to experiment with developing practical sustainable systems to make urban greening more user friendly and adaptable. www.greensgrow.org

The Food Trust

"Ensuring That Everyone Has Access to Affordable, Nutritious Food"

Established in 1992 as The Farmers' Market Trust, The Food Trust works directly with schools by providing nutrition education, in communities by establishing farmers markets, and with businesses by finding innovative financing solutions to bring healthy food into underserved neighborhoods. The Food Trust complements these efforts with systematic research and evaluation. Through an innovative partnership with The Reinvestment Fund and the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, The Food Trust administers an $80 million financing initiative - the Fresh Food Financing Initiative - that provides capital financing for supermarkets in underserved communities in Pennsylvania. In 2005, this initiative was recognized by Harvard's Kennedy School of Government as one of the "top 50" government innovations. The Food Trust is working in New Jersey, New York, Illinois, and Louisiana to create similar financing initiatives. www.thefoodtrust.org

Weavers Way Cooperative Association

"A Community-Owned Market"

Started in 1972 as a small buying club in Mt. Airy, Weavers Way Co-op is now a full-service member-owned food vendor and community organization with 3,500 member households and stores in Mt. Airy, West Oak Lane, and opening soon in Chestnut Hill. Weavers Way strives to meet its members' demand for locally-grown, fairly-traded and environmentally-sensitive products at competitive prices. In 2007, Weavers Way Community Programs (WWCP) was formed to oversee and expand the Co-op's community enrichment work, including the Weavers Way Farm education programs and the Marketplace program, now in nine schools. Farmed by a small salaried staff of professional urban farmers and interns, Weavers Way's Farm program is centered at Awbury Arboretum, but also includes several other locations, including Martin Luther King High School, and a CSA Farm at Saul High School. Produce from the farms is sold at Weavers Way's stores and various farmers markets. www.weaversway.coop