August 2023:

What's Growing and Going On?

In last month's newsletter, we shared a glimpse into our amazing youth and teen programs, but adults also had the opportunity to learn this season through

Sanctuary Farm's Health Seminar program.

Sponsored by the American Heart Association's emPOWERED to Serve initiative, each of the six course sessions explained a different aspect of keeping your heart healthy, such as diet and exercise.

AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer Megan, who led the seminar, said, "The best part of the class was all of the discussions that the group would engage in. We talked deeply about the barriers people come across when trying to attain better health in this community, including the cost of healthy foods and lack of access. A big complaint was that the corner stores and bodegas that are around here don't even have healthy food items in stock. Another barrier is education; a lot of people just don't know about the importance of reading food labels or why they should be making healthier lifestyle decisions."

Megan also shared, "One day, a participant had told me that the class gave her something to look forward to every week, and others chimed in to agree. After the seminars were over, I received an email from someone saying, 'I want to express pure thanks to you for everything. The workshop was beneficial in my ongoing education and health journey...' It really was such a wonderful group!"

Sanctuary Farm will be starting another round of Health Seminars again on September 20. This time the class will be co-led by Megan and community member Joyce Randell. To sign up, call (267) 703-0194 or email Megan at megan@sanctuaryfarmphila.org

We are excited to partner with BloomBox during the month of September to raise funds for our programs. Bloombox has it all: perennials, annuals, indoor plants, hanging plants, and more! Seasonal items including fall mums, fall planters, pumpkins and porch decor, bulbs for spring will be available on the site after Labor Day!

15% of the total sales from every order (not including, tax, tip, or delivery) goes back to Sanctuary Farm. Use the code SFP15 with your order*

Here are the basics about BloomBox:

*Locally sourced and grown plants from local greenhouses

*Handpicked for you
*Delivered to your door in 3-5 days!

*SFP15 MUST be entered in the “Gift card or discount code” box on the Payment screen for orders to count towards your fundraiser. BloomBox is unable to add orders after the fact if the code was not used. The fundraiser code is considered a “discount” and customers will see a 1% discount on their order. Coupons, discounts and BloomBucks cannot be used on individual orders supporting fundraisers.

Visit www.getblooming.com to get started!

Contact development@sanctuaryfarmphila.org with any questions.

The inaugural Summer Scholars program took place this year with teens from Malvern Prep and the Heights Philadelphia program coming together to explore the social, political, and economic factors that influence food access and environmental issues in urban communities.

The students spent three weeks talking with neighborhood leaders and engaging in hands-on projects at Sanctuary Farm and in the Sharswood neighborhood. Educators from Sanctuary Farm, Drexel University, Heights Philadelphia, and Malvern Prep collaborated to design and implement the Scholars Program.

The students brought energy and enthusiasm each day to Sanctuary Farm, and we loved hearing what the experience meant to them in their own words. A few takeways:

"I have become more aware of the “gifts” in my own life and how small acts, like receiving a bag of dog food, can make a big difference in the lives of others...I also better understand that people’s problems are complex. Before this experience, I wouldn’t have made the connection between homelessness and mental illness."

"It met my expectations because I thought we were going to do hard work on the farm...[but] it was more than the farm, it was a learning experience also."

"I learned a lot about the community/neighborhood. In order to respond to problems anywhere, you have to understand the community...Through service learning, I learned lessons that I will take with me as I move forward in life."

Our farm stand days have been incredibly busy this summer as word has spread about our incredible FREE produce. We are typically providing free produce for 175-250 people each week (!), which is a huge increase from 2022.

We are grateful to be a trusted and consistent source of healthy foods for community members, and we need your help in ensuring that we can continue with this work, especially during the upcoming colder months.

Donate today to help!

What's Growing:

cucumbers, sweet peppers, hot peppers, tomatoes, watermelon, butternut and acorn squash, beets, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, collard greens, lettuce, carrots, summer squash, green beans, fresh herbs, eggplant, parsnips, okra, white potatoes, napa cabbage, bok choy, scallions, radishes, mustard greens