The election of the Board of Directors will take place virtually this year via Helios, a secure online voting tool. Voting will be open leading up to and during our Spring General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, May 22nd from 6:30-7:30 pm.
In our 2024 Board election, we must elect between four (4) and six (6) Directors to remain in compliance with our bylaws. Below, you may read about our ten (10) declared candidates.
If you are unable to vote using our electronic voting tool, please email the Governance Committee at [email protected]. We will send you a ballot which you can print and drop off at the store. You may also choose to mail in your ballot to the Governance Committee at 2031 S Juniper St, Philadelphia, PA 19148. In order to be counted, all paper ballots need to be received by 8 pm on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024. Drop off or mail in ballots received after this deadline will not be counted in the election.
FAQs
Who is eligible to vote for the Board of Directors?
According to Articles 1 and 4 in Section 2 of the bylaws, each member-owner household in good standing shall have only one vote on any single matter.
What does "good standing" mean?
Good standing means you've either invested your entire $300 member-owner equity already, or you're reliably making scheduled investments on a payment plan.
How do I know if I’m a member-owner in good standing?
You can check your member-owner equity on our website at www.southphillyfood.coop/current-member-owners. You may also choose to email [email protected] to ask about your eligibility to vote.
How does the online voting process work?
Online voting will take place from Wednesday, May 8, 2024 to Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 8 pm. An email containing online voting instructions, as well as the User ID and Password needed to access the online ballot, will be sent to the primary contact of each member-owner household in good standing. If the primary contact of your household does not receive this email or you are unsure who is listed as your household's primary contact, you may contact us for assistance at [email protected]. Learn more about Helios, our online voting platform, and how it is designed to secure the privacy of your vote.
If there are multiple people in my member-owner household, do we each get a vote?
Nope. Only one vote per member-owner household. You can talk it over as a household and make selections that everyone agrees to, or just designate the primary member-owner to make the decision on everyone's behalf. Whatever works for you!
If you receive multiple votes from the same member-owner household, what will happen?
The only way the Co-op would receive multiple votes from one household is if a given household votes via Helios *and* mails in a ballot. Should this happen, the Governance Committee will only count the vote submitted via Helios, as there is no way for a Helios election administrator to know who voted for whom.
Meet the 2024 Nominees
Below are the names and statements of the candidates, presented alphabetically by last name.
Chuck Booth
With a background in tech and journalism, I want to do my best to help get the Co-op’s message out. One of the hardest things can be making people aware of the Co-op's offerings, and through clear messaging and being involved with programs throughout South Philly, everyone can find out about our little gem.
Growing up in a food-insecure area has made me very aware of the lack of healthy, sustainable options in certain areas and has given me the drive to do what I can to help change that. While South Philly has different programs like the community fridges, which serve their purpose well, the South Philly Food Co-op is something that can have a deeper impact. From having Co-op basics to ensure that household staples are accessible to accepting EBT and WIC, there is already a lot that the co-op is doing right in this aspect, but I'd like to help take that to the next level, which is why I'm running for a place on the board.
Everyone should have access to fresh food and be aware of the options available to them, and if elected, I'll do what I can to ensure that happens.
Molly Devlin
During my past term, I got to get to know so many community members, from vendors to neighboring businesses to daily co-op shoppers to the amazing co-op workers. That's why I care about the Co-op -- because it's not just because it's a source of fresh (and often local!) food, but because it's a place where the community comes together, whether that’s through a plant swap, a cheese tasting or just grabbing a quick bite. I want to continue serving to ensure the Co-op thrives and serves the diverse community here in South Philly.
Matthew Dobbs
Since 2009, I've proudly watched and participated in our neighborhood's transformation. The emergence of restaurants, bars, and shops has added to the vibrance of our community, but it has also underscored a crucial point: access to nutritious, quality food is fundamental for ALL of us. Meanwhile, the mega-mergers of our nation’s grocery chains continue to extract an economic toll on our communities. The South Philly Food Co-op resonates with me deeply. As a child, shopping with my mother at our local market is one of my warmest, earliest memories. When is a store more than just a store? When it’s a community hub advocating for sustainable, local produce. A space that fosters a spirit of inclusivity. A place to nourish your body and soul. What draws me to the SPFC is its commitment to everyone in our community, ensuring that the fruits of our growth are shared equitably.
With a career spanning over 15 years in creative direction within the marketing and advertising sectors, I've developed a knack for innovation and leading teams to achieve noteworthy results. My journey has also led me to collaborate closely with non-profits and fundraising campaigns, highlighting the importance of community engagement and support. I see serving on the SPFC Board as a unique opportunity to apply my expertise in creative strategy and digital marketing to benefit our community. I’m eager to help steer the Co-op in continuing as a pillar of support and sustainability for South Philly. It’s about leveraging my skills for a cause that’s close to my heart.
Chase Gilliam
I grew up on a farm and have always been interested in food. Years ago, while living in Baltimore I got to see the negative effects of urban food deserts up close and know how valuable it is to have a good grocery store within walking distance in a city. Shortly after moving to South Philly my wife and I joined the coop and it has been a great way to not only do our weekly grocery shopping but to try and eat seasonal produce, support local producers, and be more involved with the neighborhood and community. Like a lot of people I have really grown to love going to the coop, running into neighbors, finding new and interesting produce, or just saying hello to whoever happens to be working that day. Because the coop has become such an important part of my life here in South Philly I want to pitch in, and do what I can to help it succeed so that other people in the community can hopefully enjoy it as much as I do for years to come.
Maddy Homer
April 2023, I was a month away from graduating college and moving in with my boyfriend when we decided to tour a house. The address was 2030 S Juniper Street. We fell in love with the house, but one thing made this home special. The house is across the street from SPFC. I remember going with my boyfriend after that tour and I met Ash, someone who I consider a friend now. I expressed how excited I was to move forward on this house and Ash wished us luck. Excited at the prospect of living across the street from such a great place, we moved forward on the lease. Later, we moved in and Ash remembered us. It felt full circle going from being in college with no idea what I was doing, to living with my partner, shopping at the store we were excited about, and cooking the food in our home across the street. Since then, I frequent SPFC almost daily and am reminded of why I love it. I am greeted with kind, familiar faces and as a novice home chef, I can cook with the best quality ingredients I have worked with. As a member of the board, I want to be able to contribute the same sense of community and belonging that SPFC has given me. I want to continue to keep SPFC a place for community members to thrive and explore options on how to improve to best serve the South Philly community!
Justin Jefferson
Finding South Philly Food Co-op was a key moment in my journey to better health, introducing me to a community that shares my values on nutrition and giving back. While new to board service, my background in food service and financial forecasting equips me with insights into retail operations and consumer needs. I'd appreciate the opportunity to apply this knowledge to serve our member-owners, assist our general manager, and monitor our growth, helping to sustain the Co-op's mission and impact in South Philly.
Ryan Mieczkowski
We live across the street. Getting whole milk for our kid and it being so close, is huge. The quality food is great and prices are mostly fair. Pleased with much of product hosted in store. Glad to see staff and be a regular since same block we also live on of Juniper St.
Sarah Munroe
I love South Philly for many reasons, top among them are the coffee shops and bakeries, and now SPFC!
Food is something I have always thought a lot about. Although I grew up in Lancaster County (as a pre-teen I even worked for a few weeks picking strawberries and blueberries), my family primarily ate processed and packaged food from discount grocery stores. When I moved to Philly for college, my grocery and cuisine options significantly expanded, and in my late 20s, I began to discover how food can impact the functioning of every body differently.
I’ve called East Passyunk home since 2011, when I met my partner. Work as an editor took us to West Virginia for four years, where our grocery options were very limited and foods for specialized diets had to be ordered online. However, the local farmers’ market was robust, and I began to appreciate its role in the community in new ways. Raising my own backyard chickens (tiny dinosaurs) also gave me a new perspective on food production systems.
When I returned to South Philly in December 2023 to work for a nonprofit, I made my first visit to SPFC and it was glorious: the foods I hadn’t had easy access to in West Virginia are now only a couple blocks away, along with items from local businesses (and bakeries!). I would like to be part of the SPFC board as a way to connect with and contribute to the neighborhood through something I care a lot about, and I’m interested in exploring ways to make good food accessible and affordable.
Beckett Woodworth
I am running for re-election because the South Philly Food Co-op reflects my values of community, sustainability, and equity. As Board Secretary and Chair of the Governance Committee for the last year, I have been able to shape the co-op’s direction, making sure it is fair and inclusive in a post-COVID world.
There is still a lot to accomplish.
My father, a grocery store worker, taught me to appreciate the hard work of those who provide our food. This personal connection motivates me to care about the welfare of our co-op staff. Their well-being is very important, and I am running for re-election to continue to build a work environment that supports them.
As a tax professional, I offer a unique perspective to the board, helping overcome financial obstacles. My participation in local politics as a committeeperson for the 39th Ward has given me a deep insight into our community’s needs.
In short, I love the South Philly Food Co-op because it is more than a grocery store; it is a symbol of community success. I am seeking re-election on the board to ensure the co-op remains a source of sustainability, equity, and community involvement, and treats its essential workers with fairness and respect.
Tyler Yoder
My name is Tyler Yoder, and I am a sustainability specialist involved with other local pursuits surrounding environmental and community projects. I support SPFC on an almost daily basis, and love what they are able to provide to our neighborhood. I believe that my existing expertise could be a benefit to the missions and values of the co-op and I'd be happy to assist as a board member.