The third annual South Philly Garden Tour, a self-guided exploration of the green spaces hidden in South Philly's concrete jungle, is just around the corner. As we count down to the big day, your friendly neighborhood co-op blog team is here to remind you of all the most crucial reasons why you should join us on Saturday, September 7, from 1 to 5 p.m., for our biggest fundraiser of the year. 


First up: SWAG.

Let's start with the basics: A ticket to the Garden Tour gets you an exclusive look at some of your neighbors' most incredible green spaces that you can't see from the street. It's a great excuse to learn more about South Philly, see what your neighbors are growing, get inspired and meet new people.

But this year's ticket price gets you more than an afternoon of unlimited garden-variety voyeurism: We're excited to announce that, if you're one of the first 200 attendees to check in at Garden Tour hub South Philly High School (Broad and Snyder), you'll receive a reusable swag bag courtesy of Passyunk Avenue's charming gift boutique Occasionette, full of giveaways from our fabulous sponsors.

Plus, South Philly Tap Room is hosting our after-party, including excellent drink specials for ticket-holders.

Hope to see you there!

It's that great time of year when we get to enjoy the literal fruits of our labors:  lots and lots of tomatoes!

a day's harvest

I know this black krim is not very...black.  I was going to let it ripen on the counter for a few days before eating it (I thought to myself), but then my boyfriend cut it up and served it for dinner that night.  It was delicious and I'm never one to complain about being made dinner but next time I will tell him my plan instead of just thinking it.  You know, communication.  Hey maybe I should start a relationship blog!  JUST KIDDING.

Lastly, I've been enjoying lots of really sweet blackberries from a plant I got from the nursery at Bartram's Garden:



They are really plump and really good.  Sometimes blackberries are too...hard? for me but these just melt in your mouth.  Also the plant is thornless which is nice considering I planted it right in the middle of my yard and frequently have to push its branches out of the way to get around it.

What: Peace in the Park
When: Saturday, August 3, 2013; 12:00PM - 6:00 PM
Where: 1800 Washington Avenue

Details:
Point Breeze Community Development Coalition, Inc. in partnership with Chew Playground and South Philadelphia H.O.M.E.S., Inc. presents Peace in the Park. An afternoon of food, fun and activities for adults and children.

Attendees can look forward to free hot dogs, water, cakes, pies and bread. There will be prizes given away every hour and presentations to five of the youth in attendance. The little ones can enjoy a large sliding board. And SPHINC will raffle off three televisions as a fund raiser. Community and professional performers are providing the entertainment.

The South Philly Food Co-op will have a presence at this event as part of our ongoing efforts to spread the word and recruit members from all parts of South Philly and the four zip codes - 19145, 19146, 19147 and 19148. Please mark this date on your calendar and come on out to support these community organizations and the Co-op.

What: Locally Grown, Locally Strong Potluck
When: Sunday August 11th 2013, 5pm-8pm
Where: 1132 and 1134 Annin Street

Let's celebrate the growing season together and support the South Philly Food Co-op at the Locally Grown, Locally Strong Co-op Potluck!

WHY: To eat delicious locally grown/made food together and help our local food co-op open its doors! We are pushing to hit the 500 member mark this August (less than 15 people to go!). The more members we recruit before we secure a location, the better financial position we'll be in when we approach lenders. There is strength in numbers, and the Co-op needs the community to show it's support by becoming member-owners. Please consider bringing your checkbook or credit card and joining the Co-op at the potluck to help us reach our next goal. If you are already a member, come out to socialize and please bring a friend who might be interested in joining.

As one of the Co-op's focus areas is to provide local food from our region year-round and support our local farmers and producers, we thought it would be fun for everyone to bring a dish featuring some locally grown food, so please bring a favorite summer dish to share.

A South Philly Food Co-op Board Member will be on hand to provide an update about the status of the Co-op and will able to answer any questions. We will also have Co-op Membership forms so you can join and become a member-owner!

 

What: Six Pack Swap
When: Sunday, August 18. Gather at 5pm, Swap at 6pm
Where: Home of Co-op Member - 732 Clymer Street

Just like our now-famous Co-op Soup Swap, but with beer!

Bring a six pack of your favorite homebrew or craft beer, and trade each bottle in for a new one to create a your own mix-a-six. Event is free, but there is a limit of 25 swappers and a limited number of observers so be sure to RSVP by clicking this link!

What: Gold Star Park's Music in the Park
When: Thursday, August 8 at 7pm (Rain date August 15)
Where: Gold Star Park, Wharton between 6th and 7th.

The Co-op will offer family-friendly activities at this free concert, featuring indie band Little Big League. Bring a blanket or chair, some snacks and some friends for an evening in the park with your neighbors.

Let everyone know you'll be there (and find out who else might be going) by RSVPing on our Facebook Event page.

What: East Passyunk Car Show and Street Festival
When: Sunday, July 28, 1-5pm
Where: East Passyunk Avenue between Broad and Dickinson

The C0-op will again have a table at this favorite local event! Over 130 antique, vintage, classic, muscle and custom cars, trucks and motorcycles will line 5 blocks of East Passyunk Avenue! They'll also be live music and DJs on every block, vendors, the Bang! Boom! CRAFT! show at The Fountain and lots of great street food. And the Kid Zone at 13th and Mifflin will feature a free moon bounce, circus performers, face painting and arts & crafts with the Young Rembrandts.

Find the Co-op's table and say hello! Make our day and become a member on the spot!

What: XPoNentional Music Festival
When: July 26-28
Where: Wiggins Park in Camden

We'll join other local Food Co-op's in the vendor area at this great music festival! Come visit us to learn more about local cooperatively owned grocery stores and what your South Philly Food Co-op is up to.

Click here for more information about WXPN's premier event.

fancy eggplant

Keep watering!!  Hopefully we'll get rain soon.

Hi Co-op folks! Members and non-members alike who have any interest at all in attending the Fall General Membership (date: TBD), we want to hear from you.

Please take this SHORT survey to let us know what day of the week and time of day works best for you so we can schedule the meeting.