This weekend, June 18th is the kickoff event for “Sustainable Saturdays: The West Philadelphia Local Food Series,” sponsored by University City District. Throughout the summer, every third Saturday of the month there will be tours, activities, how-to workshops, and other unique ways to celebrate local and sustainable food practices in West Philly. This Saturday’s theme is “Grow it Yourself” with over 10 enticing and free events happening.
10am-2pm Clark Park Farmers’ Market (43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue)
The Clark Park Farmers’ Market, which is open every Saturday all year long from 10am-2pm, will have its usual array of local food. Be prepared to see the beginning of summer’s produce offerings!
Noon-2pm West Philadelphia Gardens Day
A self-guided tour of the beautiful community gardens and urban farms in University City. Take the tour at your own pace:
- Noon-1pm Foraging for Edible Plants at USciences Lower Mill Creek Garden: Follow expert foragers from Wild Foodies of Philly – a group of wild foods enthusiasts – on a tour of edible and medicinal plants within steps of Clark Park.
- Noon-1pm Creating an Urban Homestead at Farm 51: Learn about what you can and can’t do in your own backyard, as well as the basics of keeping vegetables and animals in the city.
- Noon-1pm Irrigating with Stormwater at Walnut Hill Community Farm: Learn how Walnut Hill Community Farm is using stormwater and solar power to irrigate its crops, and how you can use similar methods to water your own garden.
- 1-2pm Sustainable Landscaping at Chester Avenue Community Garden: This workshop on edible landscaping by Phil Forsyth of Forsyth Gardens and the PhiladelphiaOrchard Project (POP) will showcase kitchen gardens, backyard orchards, and edible ornamental plants for the urban landscape.
3-7pm Philly Homegrown™ West Philadelphia Farm-to-Table Trolley Tour
Take a farm-to-table trolley tour through West Philadelphia sponsored by Philly Homegrown™. Hosted by Paul Steinke of The Reading Terminal Market, the tour will make visits to Walnut Hill Community Farm, Milk & Honey, and Farm 51. Tour goers will experience urban farming, beekeeping, taste fresh foods, and hear directly from local farmers. The tour will finish at the MidAtlantic Restaurant & Tap Room for a dinner using local ingredients. $45/person. To RSVP click here.
2-3:30pm Ice Cream Tour & Tasting at Bartram’s Garden
Everyone loves ice cream, so learn about the history of making ice cream in Philadelphia! After the tour, search through the garden for ingredients to hand-crank yourself a cool treat! $10/adult.
Can’t make the Sustainable Saturday on June 18th? No problem, mark your calendars now for the next one, July 16, “From Farm to Table.” More information here.
