Whole Hog Is All Heart

Photo by Flickr user eli.pousson

The Whole Hog Event, the fundraiser held by Greensgrow Philadelphia Project Saturday, November 21st, was an inspiration. We cannot remember when we had such warm response from a room full of people we didn't really know. Sitting in the expansive party room of the Philadelphia Brewing Company, sipping on a fine Red House while Ray Charles sang about Georgia in the background, all was right with the world. The room was comfortable; mothers fed toddlers amazing homemade salsa and basked in the warmth that comes from a true sense of community. Partygoers buzzed around the bar. They sampled all of the incredible brews the PBC has to offer. The scene was drawn directly from those often depicted in small town fair scenes in the movies. Christmas tree lights twinkled. People smiled and chatted. They shook hands. They got to know their neighbors.

More than anything, it was obvious that Greensgrow loves Kensington and it is encouraging to see that Kensington seeminly loves Greensgrow back.

Greensgrow has brought fresh fruit, vegetables, local cheeses, meats, and eggs to the neighborhood and, amazingly, has found success. We are also happy to report that the Kensington Community Kitchen will open its doors beginning in 2010. It will serve as a neighborhood hub of nutritious and savory delights. Not only will the kitchen provide local entrepeneurs a place to develop and prepare food for resale, but it will also begin to combat the epidemic of obesity and malnutrition that seems to be clawing furiously at Philadelphia's population. Serving as distribution center for Greensgrow's lower income CSA, it will provide educational opportunities for everything from meal planning to food safety.

Aside from saluting their successful mission of opening the Community Kitchen, Greensgrow also gave a big shout out to the Philadelphia Brewing Company by presenting them with the first ever "Whole Hog for The Community" award. Owners Bill and Nancy Barton and Jim McBride moved their brewery to Kensington in 2001 and since then they've become one of the best companies to work for. Ever. They've made the neighborhood safer, greener (by planting trees and using local, sustainable produce for their delicious beers), and—well, just better.

You know, not much is written about New Kensington.

Strike that.

Not many good things are written about New Kensington and that's a shame. Are there dark corners one wouldn't want to wander into at one o'clock in the morning? Of course there are. This is Philadelphia—there are dark corners in City Hall. But there are also beautiful, wonderful parts of this struggling and emerging neighborhood too. You can see tiled murals on the local school and on the tiny library. You can watch as citizens sweep their sidewalks clean. Greensgrow is a leader in the mission and we should all take a minute and salute such a worthwhile nonprofit organization.

If you have a spare hour to volunteer or maybe a spare dime or two to give, it's easy to get in contact with the powers-that-be. Visit the website or give them a call at 215-427-2702.