Garden Tour Countdown: The Race is On!
The fourth 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 6, 1-4 p.m., for our biggest fundraiser of the year.
Limited Charity Fundraising Bibs for the Philly 10K Race now available!
Did you want to run the inaugural year of Philly 10K race in September but got shut out of the lottery? Well, here’s your chance to get your bib for the city’s coolest new SOLD OUT race that starts and ends right in East Passyunk.
Our friends at the Philly 10K have provided the South Philly Food Co-op with a limited amount of Charity Fundraising Bibs to sell to the public for the big race on Saturday, September 6th. These bibs grant you entry to the race, a member-priced ticket to the Garden Tour and solidify your status as a Member-Owner of everyone’s favorite theoretical* grocery store. Oh, and your charitable contribution gets us one big step closer to opening a real community-run grocery store in South Philly!
Start your day racing through the city streets, grab a specially brewed Philadelphia Brewing Company beer from the post-race festival and then cool down with a stroll through the hidden garden spaces of South Philadelphia on our 4th Annual Garden Tour along with all your neighbors and new fellow member-owners.
For more info on how to purchase your bib and gain access to the hottest garden tour of the year, plus make a charitable contribution to the South Philly Food Co-op, email us at [email protected].
Premium Package - $500: Limited Edition Charity Bib + More
Includes Philly 10K Entrance Fee and Tshirt, a Garden Tour Member Ticket, Co-op Membership Equity and a generous tax-deductible donation
Just the Philly 10K Bib - $100: Cost of entrance fee plus a small donation to support South Philly Food Co-op in our goal to open a local community grocery store
Purchase your Race Bib here by Tuesday, September 2nd!
PHILLY 10K RACE DETAILS:
Saturday September 6th, 7:30 am, Rain or Shine
Start: East Passyunk and Reed St
Finish: Tasker and 8th
Festival at Tasker and East Passyunk
The race is now SOLD OUT.
@thephilly10k
#THEPHILLY10K
GARDEN TOUR DETAILS
South Philly Garden Tour
Saturday, September 6th, 1 - 4 pm (Rain date: Sunday, September 7th)
Check-in: Gold Star Park, 613 Wharton St
The Garden Tour is the South Philly Food Co-op’s biggest annual fundraiser, with all proceeds directly supporting costs associated with opening a community-owned and -operated full-service grocery store. Tickets cost $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Click here for more information about this year’s tour or to get your tickets today.
@southphillyfoodcoop
#GardenTour14
* for now
Garden Tour Countdown: Paolone Park
The fourth 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 6, 1-4 p.m., for our biggest fundraiser of the year.
(the early days of Paolone Park)
I'm super excited to tell you about my neighborhood gem, Paolone Park. This tiny triangle-shaped park is one of the hidden secrets of South Philly, well loved by those who live here and the many people who enjoy walking through on their way to work or strolls around the neighborhood. The park was dedicated in the early 1980s and apparently once featured pony rides!
Now the trees are mature and there are numerous flower beds which are maintained by the neighbors and bring color to the park throughout the seasons. Spring showcases the diverse range of tree blossoms - from magnolia to dogwood, weeping cherry, apple and redbud.
Neighbors worked with local artist Isaiah Zagar to create one of his trademark murals and bring additional light into the narrow street. Residents enjoy the fact that the streets are no-parking, making it a true garden block and creating a wonderful sense of community. There are regular parties and potlucks, an inflatable pool in the summer and a chiminea in the cold weather.
Come see for yourself what makes Paolone Park so special!
EVENT DETAILS
South Philly Garden Tour
Saturday, September 6, 1-4 p.m. (Rain date: Sunday, September 7, 1-4 p.m.)
Check-in: Gold Star Park, 613 Wharton St.
The Garden Tour is the South Philly Food Co-op’s biggest annual fundraiser, with all proceeds directly supporting costs associated with opening a community-owned and -operated full-service grocery store. Tickets cost $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
Click here for more information about this year’s tour or to get your tickets today.
Garden Tour Countdown: Lend Us a Hand
The fourth 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 6, 1-4 p.m., for our biggest fundraiser of the year.
The South Philly Garden Tour is always a great time and has become the Co-op's largest fundraiser for the year, but here's the thing: We need your help to make it a success.
We are looking for people who can help out for a couple of hours at any point during the day, from setup at 10:30 a.m. to after-party cleanup in the evening, and everything in between. Here's why you should consider volunteering for the Tour:
- This is a great way to meet some fellow Co-op members. We're pretty great if we do say so ourselves! (We're also very modest.)
- Any help you provide counts toward your household's annual membership hours. Not a member yet? That's OK, we still record your hours and will apply them to your account when you become a member.
- You get to hang out outdoors! Have you noticed how fantastic the weather has been this summer? September is only going to be better, and vitamin D is a great thing.
- Most importantly, if the Garden Tour is successful, we are that much closer to getting our Co-op off the ground, and we just can't do it without you!
So check out the details, sign up for a shift, and enjoy what has become one of the best Co-op events of the year!
We got the Skinny on Fats and LOVED it!
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.
August newsletter: Hot tickets, good fats + new faces
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
Mmmmm Mmmmm! That's good fats!
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!
One Week from Today: Spring General Membership Meeting!
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.
Come to the 599 and YOU Victory Party
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:
One Week To Go! Can We Do It?
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!
Kids @ Play
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!