Blast those A/C units, embrace the cold shower, hang out in the basement, or just eat lots of ice cream at all hours of the day: These are a few ways I plan to avoid meltdowns (both physical and emotional!) during this blistering South Philly heat wave. I hope you're staying cool, too, and if ice cream for breakfast isn't your thing, might I suggest whipping up a batch of homemade cold-brewed coffee?
In case you haven't heard, the Co-op is partnering with Philly Fair Trade Roasters for a monthly Coffee Program! Sign up today and use our exclusive South Philly Blend in place of your usual joe for a refreshing caffeine buzz. Orders for July must be placed by midnight tomorrow, July 14! Click here for more information.
Read on for all the latest South Philly Food Co-op news, resources and volunteer opportunities for the month of July.
Carolyn Huckabay, Member, South Philly Food Co-op Board of Directors
Board News: Farewells and Welcomes
This month marks the official start of two new board members' terms in office, so we'd like to give a warm welcome to Katy Travaline and Emily Wyner! We excerpted our favorite parts of their bios below so you can get to know them better:
Katy Travaline: I am working to open the South Philly Food Co-op because I believe the cooperative model is essential to a healthy, sustainable, and equitable food system. Eager to make the Co-op a reality, my husband and I joined the Co-op and I started volunteering at tabling events in 2012. Passionate about spreading the word, I have served as the Speakers Bureau Manager since 2012. Outside the co-op, in the process of developing and teaching college courses such as 'Sustainable Food Systems' and 'Cities and Sustainability,' I sought out food producers and distributors as well as city officials and brought them to the classroom. As a Co-op board member, I will represent South Philly as a whole, but I will also bring much-needed representation to residents west of Broad Street.
Emily Wyner: Four days after moving to the neighborhood, I went to my first South Philly Food Co-op general membership meeting. From that point on, I knew this was an organization to which I was deeply dedicated. Coming to the table with passionate experience in food justice organizing, I felt energized to join forces with a community of neighbors who share a common vision: to open a member-owned, cooperative grocery store that makes good food available at a fair price to the residents of South Philadelphia. Outside of the Co-op, I work at a large public health institute, where I lead mission-driven business integration initiatives and have honed my skills in strategic, organization-wide thinking and planning. The South Philly Food Co-op has provided me an avenue to express my values and deepen my connection with a community I am proud to call home.
P.S. We'd be remiss not to give a huge shout-out to our outgoing board members, Josh Richards and Anna Shipp, for your hard work over the years. You will be missed!
Buzz-Worthy: Order Your Coffee by Thursday!
Calling all coffee lovers: Philly Fair Trade Roasters and the South Philly Food Co-op are excited to announce a new partnership, the South Philly Food Co-op Coffee Program! Place a monthly order in advance -- for as many bags as you like -- and pick up anytime between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at Cinemug.You can join anytime, but to pick up a July bag, place your order by Thursday, July 14 and swing by Cinemug on the 21st. Click here to get started!
P.S. This special South Philly blend isn't sold anywhere else, so sign up today to give it a try!
Calling All Volunteers: Join the Member Services & Outreach Committees!
Looking to get more involved in the Co-op? Members of our amazing Member Services & Outreach Committees get to have an active hand in engaging our membership, planning educational and social events and interfacing with the community. Even if you don't have time to attend our monthly meetings, you can fulfill your volunteer hours by signing up for one-off committee projects.
Where We Live, Where We're Looking, What We Want
Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods, and South Philly is no exception. From Pennsport to Point Breeze, Italian Market to Girard Estates, Hawthorne to Newbold, each neighborhood within the larger South Philly community has its own personality, flavor and identity.
One thing that binds us all together is the South Philly Food Co-op! If you've ever wondered where your 660+ fellow member-owners call home, here's a peek at our current member map.
Click here to learn more about where we're looking and -- once we find it -- what we're hoping to stock for the South Philly community.
South Philly Food Co-op
http://www.southphillyfoodcoop.org/