Martha’s Choice Marketplace is the largest and most visited food pantry in Montgomery County.
Martha’s Choice Marketplace, a ministry of Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CSS), recently launched its newest initiative, Martha’s Community Farm.
The farm, located on the grounds of the former Saint Gabriel’s Hall in Audubon (Montgomery County), is growing produce, flowers, and herbs to benefit individuals and households served by Martha’s Choice Marketplace. Items grown will also support Martha’s Choice Marketplace’s network of food pantries throughout Montgomery County.
This new community-based response ensures Martha’s Choice Marketplace and CSS can continue providing help and hope to our neighbors in need. Throughout 2020, Martha’s Choice Marketplace distributed over 1.6 million pounds of food to over 6,000 food insecure families in the area, a 60% increase over 2019.
Approximately 60 percent of Martha’s Choice Marketplace clients are Hispanic. To meet the needs of its clients, Martha’s Choice Marketplace is also growing staple ingredients in Hispanic and Latino cooking including tomatillos, cilantro and hot peppers among other items.
Martha’s Choice Marketplace is partnering with local organizations including Montgomery County Anti-Hunger Network; Lower Providence Township; Penn State Extension; Garden of Health; and Cabrini University for gardening expertise and to offer programs along with plots for rent to local residents and groups who would like to participate in the effort.
Those interested in volunteering at the Community Farm or making a financial contribution to support the work of Martha’s Choice Marketplace can visit https://marthaschoicemarketplace.com/community-farm/ for more information.
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Editor’s Note: Attached is a picture for publication purposes with credit to Martha’s Choice Marketplace.
For more information on Martha’s Choice Marketplace, please visit https://marthaschoicemarketplace.com/.
For more information on Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit https://cssphiladelphia.org/.
