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The local foods movement means a lot to the city of Philadelphia. During a time when obesity and health-related issues plague society, many are turning to fresh, locally grown produce. Economically, however, it could mean so much more to individuals and small businesses alike throughout the city.
Weavers Way Co-op in Mt. Airy has been pushing for a local food movement since its beginning in 1973. Recognizing the importance of eating local, the cooperative has continued to flourish. The economic effects can be seen in the company’s own growth as well as in the development of the area surrounding its flagship store. It can also be seen in the companies that supply Weavers Way with its products.
Rick Spalek, manager of the Mt. Airy location, said the store has had a major impact on the area surrounding Weavers Way. “Just at this intersection new stores have opened over the years,” he said.
The corner of Greene Street and Carpenter Lane has seen a surge in business that could be attributed to the high influx of traffic brought in by shoppers to Weavers Way. The High Points Café even refers to the intersection as “The Mt. Airy Village.” Other businesses in the area, including the Big Blue Marble Bookstore, opened in 2005 and continue to thrive.
The success of the Weavers Way has lead to its expansion throughout the Northwest part of the city. A second store opened at 2129 72nd Ave. near Ogontz Avenue in West Oak Lane and a third location in Chestnut Hill at 8424 Germantown Ave. plans on opening its doors to the public in the next few weeks.
General Manager Glenn Bergman took the local foods cause to the Community Café. There, he discussed the importance of keeping foods local and fresh. He educated people who attended his workshop about the financial and health importance of eating local. He said having an incubator kitchen, where people can prepare their own foods and sell them in the market, could really help the Northwest section of the city. Other ideas he told the crowd about were changing the zoning and licensing laws in the city to promote farming and allow things like keeping chickens on the properties, permitting sale of home-grown produce and making it a requirement of grocery stores to carry a standard amount of fresh produce.
Dale Kinley works as the meat, poultry and seafood manager at the Mt. Airy store. She has been working with the company for 29 years and she said it’s because she “ loves the people, the mission and the work.” Kinley takes the local foods movement and the importance of eating natural foods personally and supports the ideals Weavers Way focuses on for a growing local foods movement in the city.
“Buy Fresh, Buy Local,” the message on a banner outside the Weavers Way food market in Mt. Airy, explains exactly what Weavers Way has been trying to do for the past 30 years—promote the local foods movement. The city of Philadelphia has been more receptive to taking steps toward a greener food market. In his effort to make Philadelphia “the greenest city in America,” Mayor Nutter established the Philadelphia Food Charter in 2008. According to the charter, economic and job growth opportunities would exist for neighborhood residents, as well as utilize available city land that would be used for the creation of community gardens and farming. The city’s goal of a more greener Philadelphia may very well be on its way.
The Philadelphia Inquirer sited SustainLane, a Web site dedicated to sustainability and its ranking of the major US cities that use local food and agriculture the best. In 2008, Philadelphia ranked seventh in the leading column. The list was based on data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Bergman said that in the last 10 years more community gardens and local farms have appeared in the area than ever before, which could be a sign of a future where more emphasis is placed on local foods.
The food at Weavers Way doesn’t get anymore local than the produce grown at its own farm. It has four acres at the Mort Brooks Memorial farm. The organization also uses other open spaces in Northwest Philadelphia for farming, including the Awbury Farm on Washington Lane, the Stenton Family Manor and on the grounds of Saul High School, which features community-supported agriculture. The program was started in 2009.
Bergman said he sees opportunity to farming all over the city. “There are so many places in the city that have open space that could be used for farming,” he said. Saul and Martin Luther King High Schools both took advantage of their open space and now grow crops on the schools’ grounds.
The growth of farms in Northwest Philadelphia and throughout the city not only benefits the area’s economy but also functions as a good extra-curricular activity to young people. Weavers Way Community Programs allows children to become involved in the local foods and farming process. It not only gives the students alternative activities to do but educates them on the importance of local sustainability.
For more information on Weavers Way Co-op, visit weaversway.coop.
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