This week I've been helping the Lawrenceville farm stand with community outreach and lending a hand at the Thursday farm stand. The farm stand is part of The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. With eleven stands allover the Pittsburgh area the Farm Stand Project helps connect low-income marginalized communities access fresh local produce.
Each neighborhood that hosts a farm stand recieves their produce from various farmers, distributed through the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank. The stands are run by local community groups and neighbors. The Lawrenceville farm stand is located at the top of Main st. at the Steven Foster Center which hosts lots of events geared toward the seniors citizens of the Lawrenceville Community. Having just moved to Lawrenceville I was pleased to participate in something that would give me the oppurtunity to meet my neighbors.
I was also pleased to learn more about how the unique "Farm Stand" system works. They except Cash, EBT/Food Stamps, WIC and FMNP at all of their locations. At the Lawrenceville stand each customer takes a number apon arrival, when it is their turn they come up and choose their produce. Baskets are set out in allready bundled quantities to ensure equal distribution. They set aside a table of non-local produce since FMNP vouchers are not accepted with non-local produce. The Farm Stand atendee writes up a receipt that distinguishes cash from voucher and a person posted at the money box completes the transaction. I saw a relatively divers group of shoppers the stand however the elderly were by far the most frequent shopper in Lawrenceville particularly. I have helped distribute flyers to spread the word about the stand so hopefully the numbers will continue to grow.
Learning about the Farm Stand will hopefully help me learn more about Pennsylvania's EBT/WIC and FMNP distribution and acceptance methods. PASA is currently brainstorming ideas to make a market management program that will help vendors and shoppers have quick and affordable access to EBT at local farmer's markets. Leah and I are currently looking to meet with the Food Trust in Philadelphia to see where they are at in access to EBT and if there is anyway the organizations and Philadelphia and the organizations in Pittsburgh working towards food Jstice can form an alliance to build a stronger system in PA. Checkout the Food Trust's Farmer's Market Program at www.thefoodtrust.org or New York's Farmer's Market wireless EBT project at www.nyfarmersmarket.com to learn more.
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