Aiding the Food Insecure at Martha's Community Farm

Course Details

Food insecurity is a complex issue — more than people experiencing hunger or occasionally not having enough to eat. Providing more food to those in need doesn't fix the issue if households use the "emergency" food network for everyday needs. Yet the opposite is also true — edible food goes to waste when it's not harvested or sold, when it's misshapen, or when its "best by" date has passed. Working to eliminate hunger involves creative solutions and partnership from not just planners, but also farmers, policy advocates, social service providers, and government agencies.

This case study explores a unique partnership among the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Martha's Choice Marketplace (a pantry affiliated with Catholic Social Services), the farm it oversees, and other local organizations and government agencies.

Learning Outcomes

  • Acknowledge the complexities of urban farming.
  • Work with municipalities to transform underutilized land.
  • Gain insight into innovative ways to address local food insecurity.