Fair Food Farmstand

Fair Food Farmstand

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Description:

Fair Food is a local non-profit “dedicated to bringing locally grown food into the Philadelphia marketplace.” They represent more than 90 sustainable farms and food producers in southeast Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, including urban farms within Philadelphia, and are at the epicenter of the local food movement. Re:Vision Architecture was commissioned to design their new expansion in the historic Reading Terminal Market.

The new farmstand is designed to have a long life and loose fit in its space, being both contextual and supportive to its historic surroundings. The open layout was designed with clear access to views of both the vibrant Market and 12th Street, allowing an abundance of natural daylighting to reduce energy use. This open plan also affords regular and friendly customer / staff interaction, ease of circulation for many shoppers, and adaptability and easy cleaning for long term maintenance.

Natural, “real” materials like salvaged chalkboard slate and reclaimed cedar were sought out for their beauty, durability and context in the historical Market. All casework and equipment are placed on casters for ease of maintenance and adaptability throughout the changing seasons, as varying amounts of local produce flow in.

Waste handling during construction and operations was key to the success of the project. Over 8 tons of construction and demolition debris were able to be recycled. The farmstand also has an impressive recycling program, and donates all food scraps to a local pig farmer in New Jersey who uses it as feed. Now that’s completing the loop!

Sustainable Features Include: