Farm to School Champion: Lavar Prather
"To be essential, it means a lot. Being out there on the frontlines with everyone else. Even if it is on the smaller end — you’re still out there helping out."
The Common Market in the News
Austin ISD Free Produce Boxes Extended Through Dec. 17
“We are thrilled to partner in this new way with Austin ISD,” said Margaret Smith, Director at The Common Market Texas. “At The Common Market, we fully recognize the role of high-quality, local food can play in nutrition and overall good health. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are leaning on our mission to serve, and we are proud to be a part of the solution during this challenging time. "
Lehigh surpassed Real Food Challenge goal
"Sleeger said non-profits were a game-changer, such as The Common Market in Philadelphia. The Common Market is a non-profit distributor that connects local farms to communities and anchor institutions like Lehigh."
The Common Market, Aramark, and Camden City and William Penn School Districts Bring Fresh, Nutritious Foods to NJ and PA Communities
“The Common Market has been a great resource to the diverse community served by the William Penn School District, which has been able to provide healthy food access in neighborhoods rocked by both the pandemic and years of economic disinvestment,” shared PA Senator Tim Kearney.
Ep. 143 - COVID-19 and the Food System
Paula Daniels, founder of the Los Angeles Food Policy Council and co-founder of Center for Good Food Purchasing, speaks to the strength of regionalized food systems and to the resilient nature of food hubs, like ours: "...with mission-driven intermediaries, like food hubs, dedicated to sourcing from the local farming economy, supporting equity among the supply chain, dedicated to supporting healthy food access and distributing where need is great. ...The Common Market is a good example. They were able to immediately pivot to get more food to school districts."
Produce Boxes Grow Rural-Urban Partnerships
"Sometimes a produce box holds more than fresh vegetables and fruit.
It also contains the labor of Pennsylvania farmers and farm workers, truck drivers, relationship-building and evidence-based information from Penn State Extension staff, the passion of 4-H youth and leaders, a mission-focused community development group, the grit of a community organizer, locally grown fruit and vegetables from an innovative non-profit regional food distributor, and potential for growing healthy communities.
We are going to have to find a bigger box."
Reflections from the Philly Food World on COVID-19
“People have been brave. Our drivers are out on the front lines, and they were like: ‘We’re here. We’re ready to serve.’ They didn’t hesitate. I’ll remember how brave the farmers were, too. I have been so impressed at how everyone has leaped in and said, ‘We are going to keep moving and figure out how to help each other.’”
USDA: The Common Market, Part 2
In part 2 of this series, Bill Green discusses The Common Market’s mission to connect communities with good food from sustainable family farms. They strive to improve food security, farm viability and community and ecological health.
When the Common Market Southeast began producing USDA Farmers to Families Food Boxes, they were able to hire 34 additional people to work on their production lines, and as drivers. The Food Boxes provide farm fresh produce to create thousands of meals each week. Currently, the distributor is producing 15,000 boxes a week.
Four Georgia Farms Pivot Operations to Weather the COVID-19 Pandemic
"Through this new mushroom box that he created, he was able to sell mushrooms through The Common Market’s partnership with the USDA on their Farmers to Families Food Box program to distribute 15,000 boxes of food throughout Georgia and Alabama."
AISD to provide free Texas-grown produce boxes to families during COVID-19 pandemic
"We are thrilled to partner in this new way with Austin ISD," said Margaret Smith, Director at The Common Market Texas. 'At The Common Market, we fully recognize the role high-quality, local food can play in nutrition and overall good health. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are leaning on our mission to serve, and we are proud to be a part of the solution during this challenging time."