UCD brings farm-fresh taste to W. Philly

The Clark Park Farmer's Market allows rural farmers to sell their fresh produce to city dwellers. Everyone knows organically home-grown food has its advantages, but come on? this is West Philadelphia. However, the Clark Park Farmers' Market -- a brain-child of the University City District -- may just be the answer. Every Friday, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., vendors bring a little bit of the country to 43rd and Chester streets, seeking to give city customers a taste of their locally grown vegetables. Five farmers -- mainly from areas of rural Pennsylvania -- make the trek into the city each week in hopes of tapping a new market for produce. "The people in my town, Benton, are not too concerned about fresh produce." said Lance Sheckard, one of the market farmers and the owner of the the Kitchen Garden Homegrown Organic Produce Center. "I'm in association with [another] small-scale farmer and we decided to combine our efforts to begin targeting a more sophisticated market," he added. Sheckard said he hand-picks his produce less than 24 hours before going to market, thus providing customers with a fresher selection than the typical grocery store variety. In addition, Sheckard, like many of the other farmers, is a certified organic farmer. He explained that because organic foods have no pesticides, there is no risk of incurring side effects from tainted produce. And in its first few weeks, the market has attracted a steady stream of city customers eager for home-grown nutrition. "The foods I normally buy in the city aren't as fresh as these," said Wendy Reichmann, a West Philadelphia resident. She added that the nutritional information provided at the market is also valuable. Many consumers said that the market offers a more personal touch than a conventional supermarket -- as well as more friendly service. Organizers kicked off the market June 5th and say it will continue through October. UCD officials say three more vendors will be added in the upcoming weeks, bringing the total to eight farmers. The University City District, which sponsors the market along with the Farmers' Market Trust, aims to promote just such an environment. From its headquarters at 35th and Market streets, the UCD -- which was founded last year as one of Philadelphia's two Special Services Districts -- sponsors programs to improve the quality of city life and promote the resources that city universities, such as Penn, have to offer. Other programs that the UCD conducts include the Public Maintenance program, which cleans up trash in the city, and the Safety Ambassadors program, which seeks to better equip police officers walking the beat. Although the Clark Park Farmers' Market is only one of the UCD's programs, it provides city residents with a gift that keeps on growing.