Philadelphia celebrates its third annual Grocery Co-op Day!
Philadelphia, PA – Local Co-ops are coming together to celebrate an extension of National Co-op month by celebrating their accomplishments through Philadelphia Grocery Co-Op Day (PGCD) 2021. Introduced in 2019, Mayor Jim Kenney recognized the day to celebrate Philadelphia having some of the most thriving grocery co-op marketplaces in the country. The five local co-ops (Weavers Way, Swarthmore, South Philly, KCFC, and Mariposa) have a combined 16,000 co-op members, support over 400 employees, and source products from more than 500 local businesses.
The event includes a local food truck, community tables, special deals, gift bags, vendor cameos and demos, activities, store tours, and product samplings. Throughout the event, there will be a range of educational programming about what co-ops are, how they dramatically and effectively assist local communities, and how you can play a critical role in bettering your community through the power of purchase and daily choices. Each store will highlight local products they carry at a discounted rate to highlight the unification of local businesses and co-ops working together.
All five co-ops will participate in a swag bag activity for the celebration. The prizes consist of tote bags containing various items from local businesses in Philadelphia such as OTbar, Philly Fair Trade Roasters, Nutty Novelties, Lancaster Farm Fresh, and Common Market. To participate, visit two or more grocery co-ops between October 1st and October 19th, save or take a photo of your receipts, then retrieve your prize during the Philadelphia Grocery Co-op Day celebration at Kensington Community Food Co-Op on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, from 5:00 to 7:00pm.
“Collectively, the grocery co-ops of Philadelphia fuel our local economy, practice local and global sustainability, and support fair trade in terms of better for you, better for the environment, better for the planet offerings. We are a reflection of what today’s consumers should want and are a reminder to those who want to make thoughtful choices with their dollars by supporting local markets who are as transparent as possible about where the products they sell come from,” explains Jon Roesser, General Manager of Weavers Way. “All of us have a huge impact on our local foodshed supporting upwards of 500 local artisans, farmers, and vendors all in part because of our growing customer and membership base. We work hard to support our local economy and live out our cooperative ideals every single day.”
Philly Grocery Co-op Day:
Every October, National Co-op Month celebrates the community contributions and positive global impact of co-ops everywhere. The five co-ops in and around Philadelphia have more than 16,000 co-op members, support more than 400 employees, and source products from more than 500 local businesses. As a result, October 19th will specifically mark the local contributions they make through a series of programs, events, and offerings giving back to the people who support and sustain them day to day, week to week, year to year.
National Co-op Month:
Co-op Month has been celebrated annually in October across the United States for more than half a century. It is a time for cooperative businesses to reflect on their shared principles and educate others about the value of belonging to a cooperative. The 2019 theme, “Co-ops: By the Community, For the Community,” fits well with recent cooperative data, stating that there are more than 40,000 cooperative businesses in the United States with 350 million members (many people belong to more than one co-op). These cooperatives generate $514 billion in revenue and more than $25 billion in wages, according to a study conducted by the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives, with support from USDA Rural Development.
About Kensinton Community Food Co-op
As a mission-based organization, Kensington Community Food Co-op sustains a thriving, healthy community, a vibrant cooperative economy, an active and engaged membership, and a community educated in social, economic, and food justice. Anyone can shop. Everyone can join. We offer healthy and accessible food to the Kensington, Fishtown, Port Richmond, and Riverwards area.
Mariposa Food Co-op is a community-owned grocery store offering offers fresh, local, and organic food, produce, health + wellness items in addition to everyday groceries. Located in West Philadelphia, we provide the community with access to natural, wholesome foods that cater to a wide variety of diets, including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan/vegetarian, and more. We are open to the public daily from 8am to 10pm.
South Philly Food Co-op is a community-owned grocery store 10-years-in-the-making that serves as a community hub to provide South Philly residents of all income levels access to fresh, local, and sustainable groceries. We are committed to social and economic justice, and we aim to preserve and nurture the cultural heritage of our neighbors. The Co-op is open to everyone (not just members) because we believe all people should have a place at our table. Join us in our mission of using food as a force for good-at our tables, in our community, and for our planet.
Since its founding in 1937 as a cooperative food market, the co-op has evolved to offer our residents a convenient shopping destination for high quality and fresh produce, meats, seafood, specialty, and grocery products. The co-op’s mission of promoting healthy, delicious foods, and its focus on educational and event programming has made it a commercial and social hub for surrounding Delaware County communities.
Weavers Way is a member-owned cooperative grocery with locations in Northwest Philadelphia and Ambler. It also operates two Philadelphia farms. Weavers Way Co-op offers a friendly shopping environment and reasonably priced, high-quality products that are local, sustainable, organic, fairly traded, and healthful, subscribing to the International Co-op Principles.
This article was produced by Food Shelter Public Relations:
Joanne Jordan ([email protected]) and Abby Snopek ([email protected])
