September 2008,Vol. 37, No. 9 Manager’s Corner Students From Phila. University Design Hopes for a Greener Philadelphia New Fund to Assist by Glenn Bergman, General Manager and Build Green Wash Station at Farm Home Delivery Our new mayor is serious about making PHOTO BY Philadelphia a green city in the future. That Recipients D is my opinion after spending a day in a 12- AVID by Tanya Rotenberg Z passenger van with Mark Allen Hughes, the ELOV Weavers Way Co-op is announcing the mayor’s director of the Office of Sustain- creation of a fund whose purpose is to help ability, and Terry Gillen, the head of the alleviate the financial burden of some of its Redevelopment Authority and one of the members. This exciting development is the mayor’s main policy advisors. The day was brainchild of member and home delivery spent discussing local food production recipient Margaret Stineman. (farms) and the positive economic, commu- Margaret feels so grateful to be able to ng nity, and social impact urban farming can enjoy “these beautiful foods,” despite the g have on our city. fact that she is unable to personally shop at The day was organized by Joan Riley, the Co-op. In appreciation of the help Pennsylvania Horticulture Society (PHS), Weavers Way has given to her, she would and Dominic Vitiello, an Assistant Profes- like to make sure that members in need of sor from Penn Planning at the University of temporary or continuing financial assis- Pennsylvania (and a Co-op member) after a tance will receive it and, like her, be able to meeting we had at Weavers Way Farm in enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of the Co- May. I was also honored to be in the van op. To achieve this outcome, Margaret de- with John Weidman from the Food Trust, vised the idea of a Weavers Way fund. She and Alison Hastings from the Delaware STUDENTS AND FACULTY FROM PHILADEPHIA UNIVERSITY DESIGNED AND also became the first contributor, with a Valley Regional Planning Commission. BUILT THIS NEW GREEN WASH STATION AT THE WEAVERS WAY FARM very generous donation, for which we So there we were: a planning organiza- by Cristina Adams immediate: Yes, Zelov wanted a wash sta- thank her. tion working on a large study on food pro- tion a larger, more efficient wash station Because Weavers Way is not a nonprofit When Rob Fleming—Weavers Way duction in the Delaware Valley region; an where volunteers could clean the produce, and doesn’t have full-time staff devoted to member, architect, and director of the mas- agency that has a mission to improve food pack it, and prepare it for sale. Back then, fund-administration, we had to find an easy ter’s program in sustainable design at access for underrepresented areas; a the wash station consisted of a tent, folding way to identify potential fund recipients Philadelphia University—contacted woman who has campaigned for local gar- tables, a tiny overhang, and an old bathtub. and administer donations in accordance Weavers Way farmer David Zelov last win- dening and the City Harvest program; an- Not that it wasn’t working just fine, but with Margaret’s wishes. It was decided that ter to ask if the Weavers Way Farm needed (continued on page 8) (continued on page 4) any new structures built, the response was (continued on page 10) MLK Produce from at WW Ogontz, Interns Making a Big Contribution by Kirsten Bernal PHOTO BY Tuesday Market to Accept Vouchers One aspect of J by Jonathan McGoran the Co-op that I OSH PHOTO BY G Produce from the new Seeds For truly appreciate is IBLIN Learning farm at Martin Luther King the involvement of J (MLK) High School is now on the shelves OSH the members G through cooperator at Weavers Way’s new West Oak Lane store. IBLIN Produce coming into the Weavers Way hours. It is definite- Ogontz store from the Seeds for Learning ly what sets us farm include tomatoes, basil, beets, pep- apart from your av- pers, cherry tomatoes, fennel, okra, egg- erage store. The plant, cucumbers, squash, and greens like work hours offer collard greens, kale, and chard. an opportunity for Produce from Seeds for Learning will the kind of human also be prominently displayed at our farm exchange that can stand in front of the Weavers Way Ogontz often be lacking in store, as part of the West Oak Lane Tues- our fast-paced daily CO-OP INTERNS JASMINE ROUSE, AGE 19, AND RANDY day Farmers Markets, where we will also be lives and the broad- SPANN, AGE 18, FROM THE PA S CHOOL FOR THE DEAF accepting Farmers Market Nutrition Pro- er culture in which This summer, we had an exciting op- gram (FMNP) vouchers, which are available we exist. Through their cooperator hours, portunity to collaborate with the Pennsylva- to WIC recipients and Pennsylvania seniors members are able to contribute to the Co- nia School for the Deaf (PSD). They pro- meeting certain age and income require- PRODUCE FROM WEAVERS WAY FARM op in a way that helps to defray the cost of vided us with two interns to work with us ments. For more information on the operation. But in a greater sense, they are AND SEEDS FOR LEARNING AT MLK for five weeks. Jasmine Rouse, 19, and FMNO voucher program, call 717-787- helping to create the community and be- FILL THIS DISPLAY AT THE WEAVERS Randy Spann Jr., 18, were a great addition 2940. longing that seems essential to the Co-op to our staff. While they were here, they as- WAY STORE IN WEST OAK LANE. For more inofrmation about Weavers experience. I personally have had many sisted Karen Edwards in Prepared Foods Way Ogontz, call 215-276-0706 or just stop Mark your calendar! valuable exchanges with members while with her sandwich prep; Cat Naillon with by, 2129 72nd Ave, at the intersection of Fall General working cooperatively. I have met so many flowers and pet store stocking; and Robin Walnut Lane, Ogontz Ave., and 72nd Av- Membership Meeting people and learned so much about them that I might not have under other circum- enue. (continued on page 5) is Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008 stances. details to follow It’s Here! Weavers Way Cooperative Association Presorted Standard Inside: 559 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19119 U.S. The new Weavers Way Farm News 2 www.weaversway.coop POSTAGE PAID Web-based Work Calendar Product News 3 Philadelphia, PA is HERE! Permit No. 2658 New Sustainability Group 21 See insert for details, Suggestions 24 or visit And of course... scads more www.weaversway.coop/members PAGE 2 THE SHUTTLE SEPTEMBER 2008 room in the cab. PHOTO BY Editor’s Note We’ve had a great summer on the farm. D by Jonathan McGoran We grew on more land than ever before; we AVID Z I always learn some- had a beautiful new wash station built by ELOV thing new from the Philadelphia University (thank you!); our Shuttle. In this issue, I greenhouse is on its way to completion; we learned that “B and B” is grew a greater variety of crops than last a landscaping term mean- Down on the Farm year--and perhaps a few too many tomatoes; ing “balled and burlapped.” I already knew by David Zelov, Weavers Way Farmer we (almost) managed to keep up with the that’s what “B and B” stood for, but I had weeds; we did manage to grow lettuces no idea it had anything to do with land- It’s hard to believe that summer has al- most passed us by and fall is just around throughout most of the summer and keep scaping. Not that I’ve ever been into the up with most of our succession plantings, whole “Puritan kink” scene, but that little the corner. Yes, it’s September, that month that becomes so much more enjoyable once ensuring a more continuous supply; we uti- tidbit might have just saved me from some lized more cover crops in our rotations; we serious embarrassment. you are past the time when you fear return- successfully started seedlings in our little I also learned we carry Wrapsacks ing to school. greenhouse and now have fall crops in the reusable gift bags. Since reuse is the best We still have the bounty of summer-- ground; and we had many wonderful work- form of recycling, but I like to take the tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, beets, ers without whom we couldn’t have done all whole thing even further: reduce, reuse, re- squash, cucumbers--but we also start to see cycle, re-gift. Sometimes I don’t even look the return of cooler weather, and with that, of the above. Nicole and Nina will be stay- FABULOUS FARM APPRENTICES NICOLE inside, so I can join in the surprise of the cooler-weather crops like radishes, turnips, ing on into November, but Candace, Dana, SUGERMAN (L) OF WEST PHILLY gift giving. (Hope you like that ratchet set, broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, lettuces, those and Aminata left us at the end of August to (ORIGINALLY CONNECTICUT), AND return to school. We thank them for all mom!). elusive watermelon radishes, leeks, winter NINA BERRYMAN, FROM VERMONT. They say it is better to give than to re- their hard work and pleasant company. squash, parsnips and sweeter carrots than THEY WILL BE WITH US THROUGH ceive, but giving and receiving are both those summer ones. It’s truly a feast on the We now look forward to long sleeves NOVEMBER.