Food Security Partnership at PPA
Equitable Access to Fresh Air is as Vital as Access to Fresh Produce
In February 2024, the 5-year-old cross-sector collaboration, Roots to Prevention (RTP), joined the Pinelands Preservation Alliance’s array of social equity programs, reinforcing a dedication to fostering a healthier, more equitable regional food system. Initially based in Camden, New Jersey, RTP’s transition aligns with PPA’s mission to advance sustainable urban agriculture and address broader environmental and community welfare concerns. For PPA, the concept of utilizing its regenerative farm, Rancocas Creek Farm, to fortify resilience in local food economies took root in 2021 with the launch of “The Pinelands is For Everyone” project, emphasizing inclusivity and nature accessibility for individuals with disabilities. This expansion marked a shift in the organization’s role, extending its focus beyond preserving the Pine Barrens ecosystem through public awareness and advocating for permanent land acquisition.
RTP’s collaboration unites residents, nonprofits, farmers, institutions, and government entities. The overarching goal is to leverage collective strengths to create economic and lifestyle opportunities for those disproportionately affected by limited access to healthy food. RTP’s four key initiatives include Roots to Market, which supports the growth and sale of fresh produce by Camden households and organizations. Root Camp workshops provide free training in urban agriculture and value-added food production, empowering individuals to produce their own nutritious foods for income or personal consumption. Additionally, through the FBRx (Food as Medicine) initiative, RTP partners with Virtua’s Eatwell program to extend the accessibility of produce vouchers prescribed by physicians to be redeemable in diverse community settings like neighborhood corner stores. Lastly, the Teaspoon of Love Initiative engages area families in the joys of healthy cooking. Families are filmed preparing meals with fresh produce in their kitchens, before airing over Zoom in front of a large public audience.
Jonathan Wetstein, is both the founder and manager of RTP. In the previous year, he partnered with PPA to further RTP’s efforts to support urban farmers. Rancocas Creek Farm, quickly became an aggregator for Camden-grown produce, facilitating sales to Virtua Health and generating income for local farmers. This partnership highlights the intersection of environmental conservation and sustainable urban agriculture, emphasizing the interconnectedness of ecological health and community well-being. You can reach Jonathan at jonathan@pinelandsalliance.org or by phone at 609-859-8860 ext 142.
RTP is working with PPA to broaden sales opportunities for Camden produce by engaging more institutional buyers, extending the impact beyond the immediate community. In addition to Jonathan joining the PPA staff, RTP Coordinator, Kelvin Wagner is also a key member of the team. Kelvin takes on the crucial role of farmer engagement. This work includes recruiting future growers to participate in sales channel opportunities as well as streamlining the sales process through an online platform called the Open Food Network. Kelvin’s role does not stop here, as he continues to support RTP’s origins in Camden’s Parkside neighborhood providing administrative support to its local gardening facilities including the Parkside Learning and History Gardens. You can reach Kelvin at 609-682-0329 or by email at coordinator@rootstoprevention.com
This journey exemplifies the intersection of environmental sustainability and workforce development, showcasing the transformative power of community-led initiatives. This holistic approach aims to scale efforts regionally, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices, community engagement, and inclusivity in shaping the future of urban agriculture in Camden and beyond.
Where can i obtain more information about this program?
Hi Larry! I reached out to Jonathan and he will be emailing you. Thank you!