Common Roots, Porter Farms Deliver Produce To Medical Campus

Fresh, organic produce is delivered twice a week at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. (Buffalo News file photo)

Common Roots, Porter Farms Deliver Produce To Medical Campus

By Karen Robinson | Published 10:56 a.m. July 14, 2017 | Updated 12:07 p.m. July 14, 2017

Two local farms are bringing fresh, organic produce to the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

Common Roots Urban Farm on the East Side and Elba-based Porter Farm in Genesee County deliver to 60 Roswell Park Cancer Institute employees each week.

The community-supported agriculture program began this year. Customers pay an upfront fee for weekly delivery of locally grown produce during the growing season. The concept allows for early-season capital for the farmer and provides an easy and convenient way for customers to have regular access to local fruits and vegetables.

The program was put in place after a survey of Roswell employees demonstrated a strong interest in the program. Representatives from Roswell and the BNMC toured local farms and then invited them to meet with Roswell employees and sign up new customers. Initially, Common Roots was selected, but immediately reached capacity. The response has been more than expected, said Jonathan McNeice, BNMC director of healthy communities.

Porter Farm was added as a second farm to accommodate more customers. Common Roots delivers at Kaminsky Park on Mondays; Porter Farms delivers Thursdays to employees in the Roswell parking lot.