Meadow Run Farm buying club comes to Center City

Thursday, February 07, 2008

For the last year and a half I’ve been a full time student, working on a MA in Writing Studies at St. Joe’s.  I finished up in December and I’ve been slowly transitioning back into the real world.  Things have been going well, and the job hunt looks promising, but I’ve found myself needing to be careful with my pennies until that full time job with the regular paycheck appears in my life.  Sadly, this has meant that I’m missing on joining up with a CSA this season, because I don’t have the required cash to make the pre-season payment that they all require (and rightly so, since the whole point of a CSA is providing farmers with the necessary dough so that they can function throughout the summer and fall). 

I was feeling a little bummed about not being able to join a CSA this year, until my friend Lori sent me an email, announcing that the Meadow Run Farm was starting a Center City branch of their buying club (they already have drop off sites in Mt. Airy, West Philly, Wynnewood and West Chester).  Now, I realize that a buying club is not the same thing as a CSA.  In fact, Meadow Run Farm doesn’t even offer produce, they are strictly a meat/poultry/egg operation.  However, it gave me the opportunity to connect with a source of locally and humanely raised meat as well as participate in program that supported local farmers who are trying to produce the best food possible.  I signed up, sent my check in (they require a $50 down payment before you can place your first order) and was given the go-ahead to place an order.  The first pick up is Tuesday, February 19th and I’m looking forward to my cooler of food with great anticipation. 

The Center City club is still actively seeking new members (although it’s too late to sign up for the February delivery).  They currently only have four families signed up and ten are required in order to continue service (although they’ve kindly offered to deliver this month with only the current four).  The pick-up location is at Lori’s house, which is near 16th and Lombard.  If you want to get involved, head over to Meadow Run Farm’s page on the Farm to City website.