What we eat and where it comes from, says a lot about what we value.
Some people may prioritize speed or convenience, while others can focus on the taste or freshness of the ingredients. Many certainly prioritize the price (especially after what has become known as “eggs”) and appreciates good sales.
And many others – including Over 1.3 million members of the food cooperative throughout the country -Prioritizing values such as the community, self -sufficiency and justice, when they choose where to buy products.
If you share their way of thinking and you are curious about the local food cooperative, Billy Penn has a guide for you.
What exactly is the cooperative with food?
At the heart of the grocery cooperative is a grocery store created by the owners of members, who are mostly exclusively-and-sites in the community in which the cooperative is located.
Some operate as non -profit organizations, while others operate as cooperating. Some allow non -shopping members, while others are only for members. Some food cooperatives are entirely run by members’ owners-what means that they serve everything from management to cashiers-when others employ external employees.
Food cooperatives are part of a larger cooperative ecosystem with long history around the world. Philly Food Coops belong to your own network, Philadelphia Area Cooperative Allianceand follow the international cooperative principles.
1. Voluntary and open membership
2. Democratic control of the member
3. Economic share of a member
4. Autonomy and independence
5. Education, training and information
6. Cooperation between cooperatives
7. Care for the community
Now that we know what they are, here’s how to join.
Find and choose cooperation
Check if you have a local cooperative or can you easily reach one. There are three food cooperatives in Philly, and everyone allows everyone to join and become the owner of members. You don’t have to live in their districts.
Hours: daily, from 9am to 21:00
Location: 2031 s Juniper Street – South Philly
Hours: daily, from 8 am to 21:00
Location: 4824 Baltimore Avenue – West Philly
Way co-op weats Has various locations in Mt. Airy, Chestnut Hill and Germanown and at different working hours. Learn more about them here.
After locating one nearby, go to the store, go through the corridors, check the product!
Check the costs
After settling at a nearby cooperative you will want to learn the costs of its membership. This is called a capital investment, and if you later decide to leave the cooperative, it allows you to recover what you have invested. However, cooperatives retain the right to suspend returns to protect their financial life (Way Way is an exception).
Each cooperation offers payment options, and all three in Philly offer alternatives if you can’t afford this cost.
South Philly Food Co-OP
One -time investment: USD 300
This can be paid in whole or in monthly installments from 2 to 12 months.
If you can’t afford it, you can visit the store and submit an application to the cooperative Community Equity Fundwhich allows you to join only $ 5 in registration and choose a payment plan. The cooperative subsidizes to 2,25 USD from a total investment in the amount of USD 300. No income or work documents are required for eligibility.
Mariposa Food Co-OP
One -time investment: USD 200
You can pay it in whole or choose one of the following payment plans until you reach the full amount:
- USD 25 every three months
- $ 50, USD 75 or more to start and USD 25 (or more) every three months
If you can’t afford it, you can apply for Food for All (FFA)which includes $ 100 capital investments. After the first year, the recipients bring $ 10 every three months until they reach $ 100 for their own capital.
FFA candidates must receive at least one of the following forms of assistance: SNAP/EBT card, Wic, SSI/SSDI card, TANF or MEDICAID cash lend a hand.
If you do not have these forms of eligibility, but you cannot afford standard membership, you can send E -Mail to the address property@mariposa.coop.
Way co-op weats
Lifetime Equity Investment: 400 USD
A minimum annual capital investment in the amount of USD 30 is required, but you can bring more at any time until you reach the full amount.
If you or a member of the household you receive SNAP, TANF, WIC, MEDICAID, SSI, SSDI, Military disability or general assistance, you can attach to cooperation through Food for all programs. This reduces the capital investment to $ 5 a year and provides a 15% discount on most purchases.
If you do not qualify for any of these programs, but you are dealing with financial hardships, you can contact the membership department at (215) 843-2350 extra. 119.
Understand your benefits
In addition to being part of the community and supporting the mission of cooperation, joining has additional benefits that can make a capital investment profitable. These are some examples commonly found in food cooperatives in Philly.
Property and management
As a member, you become a co-owner of the store, giving you the right to vote on key decisions, the right to apply for management positions and the potential to receive patronage dividends-in the basis of which you spent in the store-if the cooperative is gaining profit during the year.
Discounts and sale
Use savings on selected products, special discount days and mass purchasing discounts.
Benefits with a work member
Although working hours are not required, members who bring time can receive additional discounts. This opportunity allows members to save more, while actively involved in the cooperative.
Submit an application in person or online
You are ready to submit an application now! Visit cooperation and register in person or utilize any of the links below to register online and make the first capital payment:
And that’s all. When you are part of cooperation, you can regularly shop, consider the possibilities of staff, pay during capital investments, vote for your representatives, run to the position and enjoy being part of the community based on values.
