Who we are
- A vital, vibrant neighborhood-run nonprofit focused on nutrition, well-being, community building, and a shared love of gardening.
- A space for over 75 Brewerytown households to grow their own produce each year.
- A produce hub, with locally-grown fruits and vegetables available to our neighbors at below-market cost via farmshare and the neighborhood’s only summer farmer’s market. We also provide free produce to a growing number of our neighbors.
- A community center. We collaborate with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, local businesses, artists, chefs, musicians, and other talented Philadelphians to run free or low-cost activities for the wider neighborhood, including educational workshops, concerts, bike rides, and outdoor film screenings.
- An environmentally conscious and sorely-needed green space in a rapidly-developing neighborhood. We are a safe home for endangered bees in our active hives, and host a sustainable community composting system to keep food waste out of landfills.
- A sanctuary. We provide a restful, warm, and welcoming place for neighbors to gather, relax, and enjoy each others’ company.
2024 Brewerytown Garden Steering Committee
Sharon Hildebrand, Chair
Aaron Pratt, Co-Treasurer
Mike Campellone, Co-Treasurer
Gloria Page
Jean Harris
Vicki Mines
Katrina Rogus
Mars Sharrock
Aaron Pratt, Co-Treasurer
Mike Campellone, Co-Treasurer
Gloria Page
Jean Harris
Vicki Mines
Katrina Rogus
Mars Sharrock
Our history
Brewerytown Garden was originally established in 2011 as Marathon Farm, a farm-to-table restaurant enterprise with a small designated space for community members to grow their own produce. By 2014, the restaurant’s interest in this project had waned, and neighbors swiftly took steps to ensure that the garden would remain part of the neighborhood, working in tandem with community leaders and local government officials to re-establish it in 2015 as Brewerytown Garden, an entirely community-run, nonprofit organization. Later that same year, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation selected Brewerytown Garden as its first preservation garden in its recently-founded FarmPhilly program. Through that alliance, Brewerytown Garden was able to secure half its land through the city of Philadelphia.
Sitting on just over a half acre of land, Brewerytown Garden is presently equipped with running water, electricity, greenhouse, tool shed, composting bins, picnic and event area, community board, beehives, and over 80 individual garden plots for growing organic produce. It provides a place where members of the community can meet and learn from one another, grow organic produce, practice sustainable living, and share food, knowledge, and friendship with all of our neighbors. We are a multicultural, diverse, and all-inclusive group of households from Brewerytown, Strawberry Mansion, and North Fairmount passionate about providing ever-increasing access to healthy food and a vibrant, serene community gathering space in our neighborhood.
Sitting on just over a half acre of land, Brewerytown Garden is presently equipped with running water, electricity, greenhouse, tool shed, composting bins, picnic and event area, community board, beehives, and over 80 individual garden plots for growing organic produce. It provides a place where members of the community can meet and learn from one another, grow organic produce, practice sustainable living, and share food, knowledge, and friendship with all of our neighbors. We are a multicultural, diverse, and all-inclusive group of households from Brewerytown, Strawberry Mansion, and North Fairmount passionate about providing ever-increasing access to healthy food and a vibrant, serene community gathering space in our neighborhood.
Our mission
Brewerytown Garden cultivates a productive, beautiful, and sustainable community garden using organic and environmentally friendly techniques. We create an environment where all generations and cultures work alongside one another, support and learn from one another, and enjoy events and celebrations together. We strive to introduce children to the joy of gardening, integrate the arts and foster creativity in all our programs, and above all promote gardening as a means of achieving good health and well-being.
The garden’s mission is to improve community health in three key ways:
The garden’s mission is to improve community health in three key ways:
- Physically: By increasing access to fresh, organic produce and providing education in gardening techniques, nutrition, health, and food preparation.
- Socially: By cultivating a green space open to all where neighbors can relax, learn, and grow food together.
- Environmentally: By developing a sustainable local food system and recapturing food waste.