OUR PROGRAMS
Our goal is to create meaningful connections between individuals and the natural world. We achieve this through a range of educational programs designed for people of all ages, including both adults and children, as well as engaging hands-on activities and immersive experiences.
PROGRAMS:
> PRODUCE STAND
> THERAPEUTIC GARDENING FOR VETERANS AND PERSONS EXPERIENCING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CHALLENGES
> SAME DAY WORK AND PAY
> VEGGIE RX WEDNESDAYS AT PHMC HEALTH CONNECTIONS
> SUMMER CAMP FOR YOUTH
> NUTRITION, COOKING, AND GARDENING CLASSES
> AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING
> TEEN PROGRAMMING
UPCOMING EVENTS
Discover sustainable agriculture, wellness, and togetherness at Sanctuary Farm Phila as we nurture both the land and the bonds within our community.
OUR PROGRAMS
Our current programs include a produce stand, therapeutic gardening, veggie script, summer camps, after school programs, and a variety of gardening, health, and nutrition classes.
PRODUCE STAND
At our produce stand, also known as the farm stand, we're dedicated to providing North Philly residents with a variety of fresh, free produce fruits, vegetables, and herbs each week.
The produce stand is held every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 AM to 12 PM at 22nd and Cecil B. Moore, and on Saturdays from May until October from 12 PM to 2 PM at 24th and Berks. In addition to ensuring that nutritious, organically grown goodness is within reach for our community, the produce stand also features various health screenings, a resource table, and cooking demos. On Tuesdays, neighbors can visit the Tasting Station Cafe to sample healthy, plant-based dishes prepared by farm staff and volunteers.
THERAPEUTIC GARDENING FOR VETERANS AND PERSONS EXPERIENCING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CHALLENGES
Our therapeutic gardening initiative is designed specifically for veterans in Philadelphia as well as community members experiencing behavioral health challenges. In collaboration with the Philadelphia Veterans Administration Clinic, we offer veterans a secure, therapeutic space where they can find solace in nature and the farm. Here, they actively engage in farm activities, come together for meaningful conversations, share meals, acquire knowledge, and, above all, simply exist in the calming embrace of our natural haven. Our therapeutic gardening program, which includes a light lunch, is a continuous journey every Monday from 9AM to 12PM at 24th and Berks, running April through November.
SAME DAY WORK AND PLAY
Sanctuary Farm Phila serves as a partner site for PHS’s Same Day Work & Pay program, which employs under- and unemployed Philadelphians to perform daily work assignments such as clearing vacant lots, cleaning street corridors, and completing other community improvement tasks. At the end of the day, participants receive $100 for their efforts.
VEGGIE RX WEDNESDAYS AT PHMC HEALTH CONNECTIONS
Health Connections patients receive "prescriptions" from their provider that they can redeem for $15 worth of produce as well as nutritional information at this mobile produce stand. Neighborhood residents who do not have a Veggie Rx can still purchase produce at this stand at affordable prices.
SUMMER CAMP FOR YOUTH
Each of our youth programs provides opportunities for neighborhood children to literally get their hands dirty, learn where their food comes from, and how a plant gets from seed to harvest. Sanctuary Farm Phila's partners with Project HOME's Honickman Learning Center and Comcast Technology Lab's Summer Camp Program to provide weekly gardening activities to students ranging from kindergarten to 7th grade. The children explore a range of fascinating topics, including germination, plant care, composting, the role of beneficial insects, and the importance of pollination. We also host “Kids in the Garden”, a weekly program that takes place on Saturdays from June until October from 10am to 1 pm and offers fun, experiential learning opportunities (and lunch!) for neighborhood children.
NUTRITION, COOKING, AND GARDENING CLASSES
Consistent with our mission to promote holistic health, Sanctuary Farm Phila offers year round classes in cooking, gardening, nutrition and health classes based on the community’s requests and interests. Classes include offerings such as Growing Your Own Vegetables and Growing and Incorporating Herbs Into Your Diet as well as Basic Gardening and Plant-based Cooking. Additionally, we partner with the American Heart Association in teaching participants how to prevent and/or mitigate diet-related health problems such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease. We also offer CPR classes. These varied options encourage residents to build confidence in their gardening and farming skills, expand their and their family’s palates, and make informed lifestyle choices.
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING
Our After School Program is a collaboration with William Dick School for children in grades K-8 that provides students a safe, interactive, and educational place to gather after school and participate in activities including a farm scavenger hunt and the creation of a wish tree.
TEEN PROGRAMMING
The Community Scholars Program, piloted in 2023, is an innovative and integrated learning experience combining students from suburban Philadelphia private schools and students from our North Philadelphia neighborhood to dive deeply into issues including environmental justice, food insecurity, and neighborhood history. Additionally, participants collaborate with farm staff and other volunteers to help plant and harvest the produce that will eventually be given out free to community members. In Summer 2024, we piloted a Teens Can Cook program aimed at reducing gun violence, promoting resiliency, and building skills for future employment opportunities.
