CONTEST: Try a Fresh Customizable Food Share with Philly Foodworks
Special contest for Green Philly Readers to win $300 of fresh local produce!
If you care about where your food comes from (like we do), then you’re probably a regular at your local farmers’ market or co-op, and you’re likely a pro at spotting the best bunches of leeks from a few stalls away. But have you ever thought about how difficult (and inefficient) it must be for many of those farmers to schlep their goods into the city each week? What if we told you there was an even better way to support local farmers and food producers—one that is more convenient both for you and for the farmers?
Enter: Philly Foodworks, an online market and farm share program that is dedicated to creating a sustainable local food system for the Greater Philadelphia region. Having started out as urban farmers themselves, they understand the rewards and challenges of growing food, and they are committed to building a better distribution network between farmers/producers and consumers in our area.
In their market, you’ll find the largest selection of local food in the Greater Philadelphia region (including fresh produce, meats, cheeses and other dairy products, baked goods, pantry items and prepared foods, and home and beauty products)—plus fully customizable farm share boxes and unique food subscriptions.
Win $300 of Philly Foodworks!
We have a special contest JUST for Green Philly readers. Enter below for $300 to Philly Foodworks!
The lucky 2nd place winner will receive $150 to Philly Foodworks.
Third place will win 1 CSA Vegetable box!!
(Don’t you feel special?! I mean, we really love you guys. You deserve to be #WINNING with local foods.)
Why are we partnering with Philly Foodworks?
They choose their market vendors by evaluating the quality of their products, the health and safety of their workers, and the farms’ or companies’ environmental impact. Some of their farmers grow organically but are uncertified, some use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) growing methods, and some are pursuing Certified Naturally Grown status (a less costly alternative to USDA Organic).
How Philly Foodworks is Different
Fair Prices and Efficient Transportation Routes
Unlike many traditional distributors and middlemen that demand exclusivity and leverage competition to get the lowest-possible prices, Philly Foodworks keeps farmers’ well-being at the center of their business model. They allow their growers and producers to sell to whomever they want and encourage them to do what is best for their businesses. PFW has established a network of aggregation hubs where multiple farmers in certain areas can deliver products to be transported in consolidated deliveries to their warehouse in Philadelphia. And they even cover the cost of trucking! This not only reduces the carbon footprint and allows smaller farmers to access the city market, but it also allows farmers to keep more of their profits to invest back in their business . . . or hey, maybe even go on vacation!
Investments in Producer Operations
Another way Philly Foodworks supports farmers and producers is by helping them make investments in their day-to-day operations. In the past, they have provided financing for seed, greenhouses, coolers, and even a truck for various farms. Currently, they are in talks to help finance another greenhouse for one of their farmers, which will help guarantee a steady crop of greens throughout the winter.
Crop Planning and Collaboration with Farmers
In 2018, Philly Foodworks launched a project aimed at increasing the diversity of their products and locking in seasonal orders far in advance. The result was a giant spreadsheet detailing the specific crops each of their farmers grow, roughly how much they will be planting for upcoming seasons, and the approximate time they plan to harvest. When he noted overlapping crops among different farms, PFW’s produce buyer, Loren, collaborated with the farmers to choose different varieties or later planting times so Philly Foodworks won’t have to turn away any of our farmers’ crops due to excess supply, and so excess crops don’t go to waste in the fields due to lack of demand. As a bonus, this also means that PFW will have an even wider range of produce in the coming seasons, as well as longer availability of items due to staggered plantings among different farms. For the farmers, it means that they have a guaranteed market for their products and the support (both financial and strategic) to try new varieties—like Black Nebula carrots and Sichuan Red Beauty radishes, for instance.
Thanks to this collaboration, they now have a system for coordinating farmers and availability and a tool that helps them plan their inventory for the year (even into winter greens!). Their farmers know when they’ll get paid, and Philly Foodworks knows when they’ll have new products. It’s the ultimate win-win!
Next up, they are hoping to sign on nearby farmers across the river in New Jersey!
Can’t wait to try Philly Foodworks?
Want to try Philly Foodworks? Get $15 off your first purchase with code GREENPHILLY. Order now; offer expires on 5/15!
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