Greensgrow opened their West Philly hub in 2016 (archived photo).

Greensgrow West, the West Philly branch of Greensgrow Farms located at 51st and Baltimore, ceased its operations on Friday, July 22 after the nonprofit urban farm announced a financial crisis earlier this month. The flagship location in Kensington closed in early July.

“This past month, Greensgrow was the victim of a counterfeit check scheme that leaves us struggling to keep our doors open through July,” reads their Instagram post dated July 15. “Although, we typically close in the start of August, this season we are working with bankers and law enforcement to try to recoup $33,000 in lost revenue.”

To help ease the dire financial situation, which made it difficult for the management to meet the next payroll for their workers, Greensgrow has launched a fundraising campaign. Continue Reading

Good news for West Philly green thumbs! After being closed to customers since last spring due to the COVID pandemic, Greensgrow Farms is set to reopen its West Philly hub, Greensgrow West this winter.

Greensgrow West, located at 5123 Baltimore Ave., is scheduled to reopen on February 27th with the following hours: Thursday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.. Like many other businesses, Greensgrow has been hit hard by the pandemic and after reopening Greensgrow West will first carry limited selection of items.  Continue Reading

Residents are invited to celebrate Father’s Day at Greensgrow West (5123 Baltimore Ave.) this Sunday and bring their dogs for a wash, pedicure and treats. The event, which will be held from 12-4 p.m., will benefit Philly PAWS (suggested donation is $10).

For more information, visit the BABA West Philly website.

In light of last week’s presidential election that left many people in Philadelphia frustrated and upset, Greensgrow West (5123 Baltimore Ave) is organizing a community potluck dinner this Friday (Nov. 18) to provide a space for people to be together. All are invited and are welcome to bring a dish to share and/or nonperishable food to donate to PEC’s Rowan House, transitional housing for women and children.

If you want to bring a donation, PEC is currently collecting sides for Thanksgiving dinner, like corn and cranberries, and canned protein, like tuna.

Greensgrow will also have space to write cards to local minority-owned businesses and a small fire pit in which to write down feelings and throw them in.

The dinner will take place from 6 – 8 p.m, and you can RSVP on the event’s Facebook page.

One of Greensgrow Farms Winter CSA shares (Photo courtesy of Greensgrow).

For those of you who prefer locally grown veggies and want to support local farmers during winter months, there’s a new winter CSA (City-Supported Agriculture) program in the area. Greensgrow Farms, located in Kensington, is “really happy” to be offering it for the first time in West Philly this season.

Greensgrow West’s new home at 5123 Baltimore Ave.

Greensgrow West has recently moved to a larger, more permanent location – at 5123 Baltimore Ave. – and Winter CSA share pick-ups will be available there from early December through mid-April.

To become a Winter CSA member, interested individuals can sign up online by November 26. Winter CSA shares include more than veggies; various share options are available – you’ll receive a choice of dairy or vegetable protein; milk, eggs, butter, yogurt, tofu or seitan. Seasonal fruit, fun specialty prepared items and a few pantry staples will also be included. Meat, vegetarian and vegan share options are also available. Check out a photo gallery of the Winter CSA here.

More information about the program is available here. Greensgrow CSA hotline is (215) 380-4355. You can also email: csa@greensgrow.org

To explore other CSA programs in the area, check our earlier post here.

Greensgrow’s new, larger and more permanent location at 5123 Baltimore Avenue is ready to welcome its first customers. The soft opening is this Friday, so stop by and check it out. Grand Opening is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 8. The former temporary Greensgrow West location at 4912 Baltimore Ave. closed on August 7.

Greensgrow signed a long-term lease with the city for 5123-29 Baltimore Ave. in Spring 2015 and began developing the new lot late last year. Previously empty and overgrown with bamboo, the new site was reimagined by student architects from Drexel University who gathered input from local residents with an eye towards green building practices.

The site features a high tunnel, demonstration green roofs and rain gardens, repurposed shipping containers, and even a tiny house. An outdoor classroom is being built by students from the Workshop School for Greensgrow’s educational workshops and will be open for neighborhood schools and organizations to use. Several West Philadelphia partners and organizations such as Cedar Park Neighbors, the Baltimore Avenue Business Association and the Philadelphia Water Department, contributed critical support to getting the site cleared for reuse. The new fence was built with the support of an Indiegogo campaign started by a neighbor.  Continue Reading