Riverwards Produce keeps it local and charitable for Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, Riverwards Produce Market founder Vincent Finazzo has decided to not just suit up for the holiday with shoppers, but also, with the community. 

Finazzo has partnered with Vetri Community Partnership (VCP) for a Thanksgiving giveaway which will see Riverwards donate all of the produce for 150 families free of charge, a release states. The donation will be made in the parking lot behind VCP at 915 Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia on Saturday, Nov. 18, between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The giveaway will also be accompanied by a recurring partnership with Kyle Smith of Williamstown, NJ’s Smith Poultry (now in its fourth year.) The duo is aiming to bring the Philadelphia area “the highest quality turkeys possible this Thanksgiving holiday.” Riverwards is currently offering pre-orders for Smith Poultry turkeys on their website, and additionally, the market will offer local, certified organic turkeys from Lancaster Farm Fresh Co-Op—note, all turkeys will range from either 8-12 or 12-16 pounds. 

“We’ve partnered with Vetri Community Partnership for charitable initiatives before and I love working with that whole team. And while every single day is a great day to donate food to people in need, I think it’s very important to do so during the holiday season,” said Finazzo in a statement. 

Finazzo continued: “We’re looking forward to feeding families again this Thanksgiving and beyond, and partnering with local purveyors like Smith Poultry and all of our farmers makes it that much better. Last year, Kyle’s turkeys sold out in only one week, so we urge our customers to plan ahead and shop early so they don’t miss out.”

Philadelphians can also find herbs, winter squash, and mushrooms through the brand at two of their storefronts (2200 East Norris Street in Fishtown, and 146 North Bread in Old City) along with other locally sourced products for Thanksgiving. 

Market offerings span apple cider and apples from Ben Wenk’s 3 Springs Fruit Farm, including a multitude of baking apples, from classics to heirloom varieties; Brussels sprouts grown specifically for them from LeRoy Fisher of Kinsers, PA’s Country Hill Produce; and local eggs, potatoes and squash, including honeynut from Kirkwood, PA’s Sunny Harvest, an Amish farming cooperative.

For pre-dinner charcuterie boards, there are cured meats, plus local cheeses from Valley Milkhouse and Kensington’s Perrystead Dairy, as well as pickles from Fishtown Pickle Project, the release also says. For stuffing, Finazzo will be offering bread from Lost Bread Co., Mighty Bread Co., and Merzbacher’s, as well as beef and pork for sausages from Stryker Farm near Wind Gap, Pennsylvania.

Those looking for fare can also find vegan options spanning plant-based meat options, including what Finazzo’s notes as the “hype-worthy” Bandit dairy-free cheeses, or for those who aren’t fans of turkey, Riverwards Produce will also be stocked with Green Circle Lancaster chickens.

And to finish things on a sweeter note with dessert, Finazzo is also offering varieties of gelato from Fiore Fine Foods, and Milk Jawn ice cream. A large selection of local butter, including vegan options, as well as milk from Oasis Farm & Fishery in Pittsburgh, and eggs from Horse Shoe Ranch in Pottstown will also be available for the Thanksgiving holiday.

For more information on Riverwards Produce, visit riverwardsproduce.com