Community Health Fair

Vital Stats

Philadelphia, PA

people helped300
People Doing It 20

The Problem

I am involved with an already-existing community-farm in a low-income neighborhood of Philadelphia where entire households are plagued by unhealthy eating habits and a disconnect between the food they consume and an understanding or concern for where it comes from and what it's made of. This neighborhood is filled with corner stores that sell primarily junk food. Children live in homes that, for example, do not own cups, but instead go to the store for a "can" when they want something to drink. There are farmers' markets in the area, but there seems to be a difficulty in reaching the people who need it most, and in convincing people that they should change their habits. I think these circumstances have serious effects on individual health, the health of our communities, and the health of our environment. This urban farm was started a few years ago with the goal of getting people in the community to eat the food grown at the farm. The progress for really reaching the lower-income sector of the population, particularly those who are long-term residents, has been slow. Children of these households regularly come to the farm and help occasionally with planting, harvesting, and selling vegetables at the weekly farmstand. We hope this is having an effect on the kids (inner-city Philadelphia kids are picking tomatoes and helping to feed chickens), but also feel that with countering views and habits surrounding them in the home, our influence can only go so far. I want to influence the people of this neighborhood to become healthier by making more conscious choices about the food they consume and how they live. I want them to feel a greater connection to the environment by growing their own food, and to become more self-reliant. I want the children of the neighborhood to inherit healthier eating habits, practical skills and the confidence that comes along with that knowledge, as well as the ability to envision their futures as successful, productive, members of the community.

Plan of Action

To expand the reach of our farm within the community, I am planning a Community Health Fair. The all-day event will be a block-party, consisting of health-related workshops and activities, live music, free fruit and vegetables, cooking demonstrations, and informational tables from local organizations promoting healthy eating and living. My hope is that this event will draw more of our neighbors from their homes to learn more about health and the simple choices they can make to improve the health of themselves and their children. I also hope that these people will get to learn more about the farm and break the mental barrier that has, to this point, kept them from taking interest or becoming involved with the farm in their neighborhood. Last year, another version of this event was held consisting of a block-party, live music festival, and fundraiser for the farm. The Community Health Fair is my own idea that will be added onto the regular fundraising event to create more of a message. This event will occur on October 1 and at this point, a committee has already been formed to meet about event plans. The committee assumes responsibility for getting vendors, organizing workshops and other programming, arranging childrens' activities, making t-shirts, and other logistical tasks. I am leading the Committee for the Health Fair and am confident in our ability to pull this event off and have a positive impact on the community. The farm currently has a strong base of primarily younger adults in the area that have a strong interest in the work we are doing. With the help of the Committee, I will reach out to these people to get volunteers for the event and help in promoting to others. We will develop a comprehensive list of locations for promotion that will reach new people and will build on our existing relationships with local community-based organizations that can help in spreading our information. We are also trying to utilize those relationships to acquire sponsorships but are currently very unsure of the results we will get. Funds are required for this event, at a minimum, to cover the costs of printing promotional materials, t-shirts, craft supplies for kids, serving ware for food, a port-a-potty rental, soil, fresh produce, and an event program handout.

Factory Farms

Climate Change

Physical and Mental Health