Yael Lehmann - Executive Director, The Common Market Mid-Atlantic
VOICES
Reflections from the Philly Food World on COVID-19
Anyone familiar with the Philly food world knows that pride and community are the currents that make this an amazing place to eat. Yet, COVID-19 has had visceral effects, from shuttered restaurants and a takeout shift to supply chain disruptions, which have people reconsidering the role of a diversified local food system.
With an eye on the future, we reached out to five Philadelphians who play a role in the local food world to take the pulse of the city and get an early read on lessons learned that may carry us forward. Here’s one of them
Pre-pandemic, the Common Market specialized in distributing sustainable farm-fresh food from more than 200 regional producers to institutions like schools and hospitals. Yet, even amid closures, people need to eat. For Yael Lehmann, memories of the pivot to reach people in need flicker like scenes in a movie: An Amish farm partner at his dining table, deciding to stick to his growing plan; National Guard members assembling food boxes in Manhattan. As the virus upended life, a shift to retail and emergency food relief exploded simultaneously, Lehmann says—including here, where the nonprofit has committed to delivering 35,000 fresh food boxes so far this year via the USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box program.
How She’ll Remember the Crisis:
“People have been brave. Our drivers are out on the front lines, and they were like: ‘We’re here. We’re ready to serve.’ They didn’t hesitate. I’ll remember how brave the farmers were, too. I have been so impressed at how everyone has leaped in and said, ‘We are going to keep moving and figure out how to help each other.’”
Investing Locally:
“It is very important to support the farmers right now. Go to your farmers’ market. At the co-op or grocery store, buy the locally grown food. These moments remind us that where our food comes from really matters.”
On Resilience:
“People have adapted in this moment. It’s almost like we have all had to shed whatever boxes we had put ourselves in. I think that could lead to more creativity and innovation, helping us evolve in ways that we would have never anticipated.”
