Last night about a dozen Co-op members and supporters gathered at the home of the wonderful Sarah Radcliffe (Programs and Events Committee member and supplier of some great adult beverages) to Eat and Learn about healthy fats from certified health coach D'Arcy Webb. (Or rather, Learn then Nosh since D'Arcy smartly realized she'd hold our attention that much better with the promise of tasting the wonderful things she was describing.) Guests also enjoyed a growler of Homebrew Champion and Program and Events Committee member Andy Arsenault's Clymer Street Saison. (See... this is why we go to events like this... you never know what kind of treats will be there!)

In addition to learning from D'Arcy about the health benefits of grass-fed butter (which was consumed in great quantity last night), olive oil, olives, toasted sesame seeds and sesame seed butter, cashews, avocado (a fruit with 4 grams of protein), something called ghee, those assembled were also let in on the apparently magical properties of coconut oil. In fact, this writer is drinking coffee right now that contains a couple big spoonfuls of this elixir. Here's some other fun properties of coconut oil:

1. For aiding with teeth whitening and gum health, people have been known to swish a couple tablespoons of coconut oil in their mouths for about 15 minutes a day. Probably best done when you don't have an impending speaking engagement. (Just don't spit it down the drain since it solidifies at about 72 degrees which will be a bit of a problem for your pipes.)

2. Coconut oil is a fantastic moisturizer especially on the face.

3. Of course, you can cook with it in a number of recipes that call for other kinds of oil. It's a much healthier alternative to corn and canola oil, for example.

4. D'Arcy even claimed it to be good for... unmentionable regions... of the body for health and for fun. So there's that.

Following the chat, the group moved on to tasting some great sesame seed butter, olives, grass-fed butter, and the highlight of the night: a chocolate mousse made from avocado, dates, cacao powder and a dash of cinnamon. It tasted as good as any conventional chocolate mousse and was waaaay more healthy than that bag of nacho cheese chips you're probably holding right now. (This snack will be a regular part of this writer's diet!) To prove that she hadn't slipped some conventional mousse into the mix, D'Arcy made an additional batch in a small food processor and shared the end product with everyone. Dee-lish!

Special thanks once again to D'Arcy for a great evening, Sarah for hosting and providing beverages, Andy for the Saison, and our great Programs and Events Committee for yet another wonderful event.

In case you missed it, here's a recap of our August 2014 e-newsletter, which hit your inbox Monday morning. Not on the list? Get there by clicking here.

Hot Ticket: The fourth annual South Philly Garden Tour!

We're so excited to announce that tickets are now on sale for the South Philly Garden Tour, our most popular event (and biggest fundraiser) of the year.

This year's tour, a walking exploration of our neighborhood's most beautiful, lush, quirky and/or fascinating outdoor spaces, will be held Saturday, Sept. 6, 1-4 p.m. From Second to 10th streets, Fitzwater to Moore, you'll get an exclusive look at your neighbors' incredible private gardens and gorgeous community spaces — all while doing what we know you love best: supporting the Co-op! 

Tickets are just $20 in advance ($25 at the door). Get yours today, and stay tuned for more information about participating gardens, after-party and more!

P.S. We'd like to give a special shout-out to this year's amazing list of Garden Tour sponsors! Big thanks to: Chipotle // South Philly Co-operative Workspace // Skout Media // The Campaign Group // Passyunk Post // Urban Jungle // Koliyan/Peddler Coffee // Green Mountain // Philly Home Girls // Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox and Roach // Saul Ewing LLP // Sb1 Federal Credit Union // Generation 3 Electric // Occasionette // Weavers Way Coop // Little Baby's Ice Cream // Valley Green Bank // Fireball Printing // Posey Booth // Sullivan Owen // Black Bird Pizzeria // Industry Bar // Graham Bailer Architecture // Wake Up Yoga // Swarthmore Co-op // Project PLAY // Fitness Works // Kermit's Bake Shoppe // Soom Foods // Mariposa // Jigbee // The Wishing Well

Coming up on Thursday, August 7 from 6:30pm to 8pm, the South Philly Food Co-op welcomes Certified Health Coach D'Arcy Webb for another installment of our Eat and Learn series. The name of this event is The Skinny on Fats: How Fats Can Be Your Secret Weapon To Eating Healthfully and Feeling Satisfied.

As the name of the series suggests, attendees to this ticketed event will most definitely get to eat their ticket price-worth of great treats while also learning how to make them. Tickets are going for the low, low price of $5 for Co-op members and $10 for not-yet members. (So why not also join the Co-op to save the five bucks? You were going to anyway, right?) Click here to go to our TicketLeap page for more info about the event (including location) and to buy your ticket.

We'll see you there with our special Chocolate-Avocado Mousse-eatin' spoon!

It's time for the Spring General Membership Meeting! Twice each year, we all come together as member-owners and soon-to-be member-owners to get updates on the Co-op's progress, ask questions directly to the Board and other committee members, and socialize with each other. In addition, at the Spring Meeting we hold our annual election for the Board of Directors. Click here for information about the seven Director candidates, a proposed by-law change, and a downloadable absentee ballot.

We'll start things off with some snacks provided by Caramella Gourmet Popcorn and drinks at 6pm and begin the agenda at 6:30pm.

Agenda:

1)   Welcome

• Approve minutes from October 2013 Membership Meeting (Download draft of minutes to review)
• Review of voting procedure for new board
• Review by-law change

2)State of the Co-op
3)Financial Snapshot
4)Member-Owner Engagement
5)Site Selection Update
6)Questions and Answers

Traveling to PEP Community Room:

• Enter through the courtyard on Federal Street.
• Street parking can be found on Broad or Federal, or on Carlisle behind PEP (west of Broad off Federal). Parking availability varies with the time of day.
• Via SEPTA, take the Broad Street Subway (Orange Line) to Ellsworth-Federal Station, or take the route C bus to Federal Street.

It's possible that you've heard a little bit from us in the last few weeks about 599 and YOU: our spring membership campaign with the goal of reaching (or topping) the 600 member milestone. 

We've made some pretty cool t-shirts:

We're pretty excited about our new Co-op T-shirts. Here only till the end of #599andyou—get yours today @ Black&Brew! pic.twitter.com/3ZslDsBk4V

— SouthPhillyFoodCo-op (@SPFoodCoop) March 22, 2014

We've had some super fun and educational events. 

We've kept you posted about all of our great new members on Facebook and Twitter:

Another beautiful day brings another beautiful new member-owner household! Welcome Steve and Laura referred by Jean!

— SouthPhillyFoodCo-op (@SPFoodCoop) April 22, 2014

We've consumed quite a bit of coffee. 

And now we're in the home stretch and OH. SO. CLOSE. to hitting our goal of 600 members. So we're having a party. And we're feeling so confident that we're just going to go ahead and call it a Victory Party. 

That's right: Join us on Monday, April 28th, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) where you can:

• Celebrate the success of our recent campaign (and find out how the new, official membership count!)
• Hang with fellow members while enjoying one of South Philly's best new bars
• Get updates on the Co-op's next steps
• Purchase your limited-time only t-shirt (see above)
• Hear about our next big event — the 4th Annual South Philly Garden Tour
• PLUS: Win fabulous prizes from these Shop South Philly partners and other great local businesses:

We're in the home stretch!

The final week of our spring membership campaign, 599 and You, has arrived! Here's how you can help bring us across the finish line:

1) Join the Co-op — and encourage your friends and family to do the same! The only way we can move forward, sign a lease on a location and open our doors is if we increase our membership. Plain and simple. Click here to join our ranks!

2) Buy a T-shirt! We love our "theoretical grocery store" tees, inspired by our friends at the Passyunk Post. But they won't be around for long! Get yours at a Co-op event, or at the Occasionette on East Passyunk. P.S., kids sizes are available!

3) Visit us at Coffee with the Co-op! We'll be at B2 on East Passyunk on Saturday morning from 9 to 1, talking to folks about #599andyou, selling T-shirts and drinking a ton of coffee. Come say hi!

4) Attend our Victory Party! This is a really important one — we're so close to making our membership goal of 600, but every new person counts! We'll be at Boot & Saddle on Monday, April 28, from 6 to 9 p.m. Come for the camaraderie — and stay for the sweet raffle prizes!

Save the Date

Please mark your calendars for our Spring 2014 General Member-Owner Meeting, to be held Thursday, May 22, 6-8 p.m. at PEP Community Room, 1200 S. Broad St. To answer your questions: No, you don't have to be a member to attend, and yes, there will be snacks!

Click here for the full agenda, which includes board elections. Hope to see you there!

Bring the kids to enjoy some food-oriented fun in the neighborhood!

When: On the 3rd Saturday of every month, from 9:30am - 11:30am. Next Date: Saturday, May 17th

Where: Gold Star Park (on Wharton Street, between 6th & 7th Streets)

The South Philly Food Co-op and Friends of Gold Star Park were awarded a grant from the Fairmount Park Conservancy to hold a kids’ play group this summer in Gold Star Park. Friends of Kirkbride Elementary has joined the fun as well.

We will be meeting once a month for food-oriented games and healthy snacks.  Our first playgroup meeting will feature fun with Mr. “Potato” Head, using different fruits and vegetables.  The park has a jungle gym and other toys will be available for the playgroup.

Gold Star Park is a pocket park that features a summer concert series and fall Halloween festival.  The Co-op has worked collaboratively with Gold Star Park for several years, tabling at concerts and holding a potluck event to reach new members. This event series is a great way for parents of young children to learn more and get involved with the Co-op!  

This April, in support of our 599 and You membership campaign, the South Philly Food Co-op is hosting three fabulous events with Co-op members and neighbors to give you valuable food knowledge and a full belly! Join us for one session or all three!

Here's what's coming up:

April 6: Chocolate and Beer Pairing with The Chocolate Clinic

April 10: Vegan Cooking with Miss Rachel

April 19: Good Fats with D'Arcy Webb

More details after the jump! 

Are you and your friends the foodiest foodies in all of South Philly? There is but one way to find out:

At the Second Annual South Philly Food Co-op Food Quizzo.

Come out on Wednesday, March 12 with your food-savviest pals for an epic throw-down of South Philly, Food and Co-op knowledge!

Spring is a time for growth — especially for the South Philly Food Co-op! A robust membership is the No. 1 key to finding a location for our store and opening our doors to the community.

With this in mind, we’re excited to announce that on March 1, we’ll launch our ambitious spring membership campaign, 599 and You, with the sole goal of reaching — or exceeding! — 600 member-owners by the end of April 2014. We’ll host tons of public events, recruitment parties, Coffee with the Co-op sessions and more, so keep an eye on the blog, Facebook and Twitter accounts for announcements throughout the campaign.

Why 600? We know it’ll take a village to make the South Philly Food Co-op a reality. Based on all of our hard work and research into best practices, 600 is the magic number the Co-op has determined it needs in order to support signing a lease and moving forward with the store opening. When we reach this important milestone, our pens will be ready!

Where will the Co-op be located? Our real estate committee has been working nonstop to find a space that fits our needs, pounding the pavement and coordinating with real estate agents and conducting site visits to assess square footage, parking, access to public transportation, costs and other important factors. Don’t worry – when a suitable location is found, you’ll hear about it!

What happens after 600? We’ll continue to grow, and work toward our next goal of 800 member-owners. The more member-owners we have, the stronger we are. We believe that when it comes to the monumental task of opening a grocery store in South Philly, slow and steady wins the race. Achieving our milestones is crucial to our success, and we will move forward only when we have the membership to support our financial and organizational needs.

How will we get there? If you want to help open the South Philly Food Co-op’s doors, the first step is to become a member. If you’re already on board, help us recruit more members! Think of it this way: If each of our current members recruited just one new household, we’d be 1,000 strong! During March and April, the Co-op will host a variety of fun events tailored to bring folks together and encourage not-yet-members to take the leap. Here’s what’s coming up:

• March 1: TEDxManhattan viewing party at Theatre Exile’s Studio X, 10am – 6pm
• March 12: Food-themed Quizzo at the Wishing Well, 7pm
• March and April: Member-hosted Eat & Greets
• April: Coffee with the Co-op
• April 28: Victory Party at Boot & Saddle, 6 – 9pm

More events and initiatives will be announced soon, so make sure you’re following us on Facebook and Twitter or sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop!

Will you or someone you know be our 600th member?