On which committee do you serve? I serve on the Outreach committee and am currently helping to recruit and organize people to contribute to our blog and other social media outlets. Through this we hope to stay regularly connected to potential members and shoppers, build a community of co-op supporters, give frequent updates on our progress and generally keep the co-op on everyone's radar until we have a physical presence to go along with the virtual one. What do you do for a living? Advertising/marketing for Democratic political candidates. How did you get involved with the food co-op? I married into it (or actually, the co-op married into me). Alison Fritz, chair of the steering committee, is my wife and inspiration. At first I came on board to help out because the project was so important to her. Since then I've seen how this local, food-related effort really ties into many of the issues that I'm very personally interested in (sustainability, awareness of the environment, responsible capitalism, energy conservation) and which I hope to move toward professionally as well. Why do you want a food co-op in South Philly? Economics 101 (or Ec 10 as it was called in college). I'm not a foodie in particular, though I would love to learn how to cook. I am, however, keenly aware of waste and inefficiency and have been turned onto the amount of waste, inefficiency, inequity and just general badness that exists in our current industrial food system. I'd like there to be a place where I can go and KNOW that everything I pick up was carefully selected to be on that shelf because it was locally grown, sustainably raised or harvested and produced in such a manner that doesn't exploit the humans or animals who worked to make it - truly guilt-free meals. Why should people join a food co-op? Everyone will have their own reason and the people who hear the term "co-op" and think "I know what that is. Awesome. Sign me up" probably don't need me to tell them why they should join. However, for folks who are less familiar and might not otherwise be inclined to do so, I would appeal to their pride in their community and their neighborhood - South Philadelphia. There are plenty of folks who go way back in these neighborhoods and who have plenty of reason to be proud of the area. A locally-owned, community-owned food store (and one that we hope is wildly successful) will not only bring and keep more wealth into the community, it will also be yet another reason for people to think of this area as progressive, forward thinking and part of the solution. What is your favorite meal to cook and why? I love rolling out the dough and making a nice pizza with extra cheese, kalamata olives, and artichoke hearts. It's my favorite food to eat and I can never quite get it as well as my favorite pizza place in the city (FrancoLuigi's at 13th and Tasker) but I love to try. Plus a badly made pizza can beat most well made dishes any day of the week so I can't really go wrong.

On which committee do you serve?

I am on Steering.

What do you do for a living?

I am an Historic Site Tour Guide and all around Raconteur.

How did you get involved with the food co-op?

I am the current President of the Board of Directors at Weavers Way Food Cooperative in Mt. Airy. I want to see a larger cooperative presence here in the Philadelphia area. Over a couple of years ago I accompanied our General Manager, Glenn Bergman to an informational meeting in South Philadelphia to present and talk about how to start a Food Cooperative and many people attended. That effort grew into a group that just didn't move forward (but the Food For All Collective sprung out of this) and stopped meeting.

I then finally got onto Facebook and saw a note from a good friend, Alison Fritz who's old garlic press (she'd gotten at Weavers Way) broke and she wanted a new one from Weavers Way but wasn't a member any longer. Her appeal to a current member to get one for her struck me because Weavers Way modified our structure to allow non-members to shop but Alison hadn't known that.

After connecting and updating Alison about the changes at Weavers Way I also filled her in on the efforts from the previous South Philly group and soon we traded information, contacts and ideas. That first meeting at SPOAC in April 2010 was presented by Weavers Way Board Directors Bob Noble and Stu Katz and was attended by over 60 committed South Philadelphians. The South Philly Food Co-op adventure began.

Why do you want a food co-op in South Philly?

I want people in South Philly to be able to access high quality food from a community owned market and strengthen the Cooperative movement in all of Philadelphia. In the end, all cooperatives benefit from a successful South Philly Food Co-op and more people can share in this economic model of cooperation.

Why should people join a food co-op?

I think the main benefit is going to be the resulting responsiveness this cooperative can offer the community and the subsequent "pulling" of the entire food market sector on "main street" toward the more sustainable practices already practiced by food co-ops today. You owe it to yourself to investigate and learn more about the democratic, cooperative movement. This cooperative can be a model for food stores to follow, bringing better food and health to more people in South Philly.

I think of a cooperative as a large partnership, everyone involved has a part ownership of the business and the goal is to benefit these owners and the community at large. If there is profit at the end of the year it would be shared based on patronage (the more you buy, the bigger your share) and not who owned more of the company. Each owner is limited to how much equity they can invest distributing power throughout the ownership and not concentrating it with a few wealthy parties.

In the end, more economic power is retained in the neighborhood with no profit going to some corporate HQ thousands of miles away. A store that is responsive to shoppers because they are owners and the reason the store is opened in the first place, not to make money for shareholders.

What is your favorite meal to cook and why?

I like simple rice and beans, because one can use a little imagination to create entrees, side dishes, soups from a very basic start. The waiting for dried beans to soak helps me to remember that sometimes you just have to wait for some process to do it's thing before you can move onto the next step. We all need reminders now and then.

On which committee do you serve? I am on Steering. What do you do for a living? I am an Historic Site Tour Guide and all around Raconteur. How did you get involved with the food co-op? I am the current President of the Board of Directors at Weavers Way Food Cooperative in Mt. Airy. I want to see a larger cooperative presence here in the Philadelphia area. Over a couple of years ago I accompanied our General Manager, Glenn Bergman to an informational meeting in South Philadelphia to present and talk about how to start a Food Cooperative and many people attended. That effort grew into a group that just didn't move forward (but the Food For All Collective sprung out of this) and stopped meeting. I then finally got onto Facebook and saw a note from a good friend, Alison Fritz who's old garlic press (she'd gotten at Weavers Way) broke and she wanted a new one from Weavers Way but wasn't a member any longer. Her appeal to a current member to get one for her struck me because Weavers Way modified our structure to allow non-members to shop but Alison hadn't known that. After connecting and updating Alison about the changes at Weavers Way I also filled her in on the efforts from the previous South Philly group and soon we traded information, contacts and ideas. That first meeting at SPOAC in April 2010 was presented by Weavers Way Board Directors Bob Noble and Stu Katz and was attended by over 60 committed South Philadelphians. The South Philly Food Co-op adventure began. Why do you want a food co-op in South Philly? I want people in South Philly to be able to access high quality food from a community owned market and strengthen the Cooperative movement in all of Philadelphia. In the end, all cooperatives benefit from a successful South Philly Food Co-op and more people can share in this economic model of cooperation. Why should people join a food co-op? I think the main benefit is going to be the resulting responsiveness this cooperative can offer the community and the subsequent "pulling" of the entire food market sector on "main street" toward the more sustainable practices already practiced by food co-ops today. You owe it to yourself to investigate and learn more about the democratic, cooperative movement. This cooperative can be a model for food stores to follow, bringing better food and health to more people in South Philly. I think of a cooperative as a large partnership, everyone involved has a part ownership of the business and the goal is to benefit these owners and the community at large. If there is profit at the end of the year it would be shared based on patronage (the more you buy, the bigger your share) and not who owned more of the company. Each owner is limited to how much equity they can invest distributing power throughout the ownership and not concentrating it with a few wealthy parties. In the end, more economic power is retained in the neighborhood with no profit going to some corporate HQ thousands of miles away. A store that is responsive to shoppers because they are owners and the reason the store is opened in the first place, not to make money for shareholders. What is your favorite meal to cook and why? I like simple rice and beans, because one can use a little imagination to create entrees, side dishes, soups from a very basic start. The waiting for dried beans to soak helps me to remember that sometimes you just have to wait for some process to do it's thing before you can move onto the next step. We all need reminders now and then.

On which committee do you serve?

I am secretary of the Steering Committee.

What do you do for a living?

I am a technology teacher in a small elementary school in North Philadelphia.

How did you get involved with the food co-op?

I attended the informational PSCA meeting last Spring and the rest is history!

Why do you want a food co-op in South Philly?

I lived and ate in a co-operative house for 4 years while at Oberlin College. I loved the way we chose what was in our kitchen, the sense of community, the focus on local, sustainable products.  I also am kind of a food snob :) I am excited to bring this kind of experience and business into my neighborhood.

Why should people join a food co-op?

A food co-op is unlike any other place that you will shop. As a member, you have a say in what you see on the shelves, you are part of a community of people who are invested in their community and you have a say in the direction the business takes through your vote and involvement.

What is your favorite meal to cook and why?

I love making soups of all kinds because they are easy, tasty and comforting. My most recent favorite was a lentil soup with sausage. I also like to make Vichyssoise (potato leek soup).

On which committee do you serve? I am secretary of the Steering Committee. What do you do for a living? I am a technology teacher in a small elementary school in North Philadelphia. How did you get involved with the food co-op? I attended the informational PSCA meeting last Spring and the rest is history! Why do you want a food co-op in South Philly? I lived and ate in a co-operative house for 4 years while at Oberlin College. I loved the way we chose what was in our kitchen, the sense of community, the focus on local, sustainable products.  I also am kind of a food snob :) I am excited to bring this kind of experience and business into my neighborhood. Why should people join a food co-op? A food co-op is unlike any other place that you will shop. As a member, you have a say in what you see on the shelves, you are part of a community of people who are invested in their community and you have a say in the direction the business takes through your vote and involvement. What is your favorite meal to cook and why? I love making soups of all kinds because they are easy, tasty and comforting. My most recent favorite was a lentil soup with sausage. I also like to make Vichyssoise (potato leek soup).

On which committee do you serve?

Chair of the Steering Committee and Inter-committee liaison to the Outreach Committee.

What do you do for a living?

Associate Director of Donor Relations at Fox Chase Cancer Center.

How did you get involved with the food co-op?

I really enjoyed being a member of Weavers Way in Mt. Airy from 2003 - 2005, and wondered why there weren't more stores like it in Philadelphia. When my husband and I moved to South Philadelphia in 2008, I was encouraged to learn about a local buying club and previous co-op start-up activity. With the help of Weavers Way, we presented the co-op model at a neighborhood meeting in April and got a great response. The initiative took off from there and I've met some really wonderful people who I wouldn't have known without the help of the co-op (see! it's connecting us already!).

Why do you want a food co-op in South Philly?

Well, I love food. Love Food. Love eating it, cooking it, shopping for it, and talking about it. More than that, I think it's important to know where our food comes from, how it was grown or raised, how it has been processed, and ultimately how it got to the table and into our bodies. By being a part of a member-owned co-op, we will all get to exercise some small measure of ownership and control over these issues - while supporting the local economy and working together.

Why should people join a food co-op?

Really good food, support for local and socially responsible food suppliers, and a chance to get to know and work with your neighbors. One of the reasons I wanted to move to South Philly was to have a chance at the "neighborhoodness" (is that a word?) that I remember from my childhood. With all of the change and residential turnover that our community has seen over the last few years, this co-op could be one of the things that helps unite us again.

What is your favorite meal to cook and why?

Gosh, I don't know. It's hard to pick one dish because I really like to test our new recipes and our menu tends to be dictated by whatever we picked up in our CSA share that week. I guess the staples in my house are: homemade pizza, black bean burgers, hummus, roasted broccoli, and braised kale. I've also been on a bit of a kimchi kick lately.

I love the ritual of looking through my cookbooks and picking out new things to try, and then the act of prepping, chopping, bubbling, and sizzling. Sometimes the experience of preparing a meal can be more soul satisfying than actually eating it.

On which committee do you serve? Chair of the Steering Committee and Inter-committee liaison to the Outreach Committee. What do you do for a living? Associate Director of Donor Relations at Fox Chase Cancer Center. How did you get involved with the food co-op? I really enjoyed being a member of Weavers Way in Mt. Airy from 2003 - 2005, and wondered why there weren't more stores like it in Philadelphia. When my husband and I moved to South Philadelphia in 2008, I was encouraged to learn about a local buying club and previous co-op start-up activity. With the help of Weavers Way, we presented the co-op model at a neighborhood meeting in April and got a great response. The initiative took off from there and I've met some really wonderful people who I wouldn't have known without the help of the co-op (see! it's connecting us already!). Why do you want a food co-op in South Philly? Well, I love food. Love Food. Love eating it, cooking it, shopping for it, and talking about it. More than that, I think it's important to know where our food comes from, how it was grown or raised, how it has been processed, and ultimately how it got to the table and into our bodies. By being a part of a member-owned co-op, we will all get to exercise some small measure of ownership and control over these issues - while supporting the local economy and working together. Why should people join a food co-op? Really good food, support for local and socially responsible food suppliers, and a chance to get to know and work with your neighbors. One of the reasons I wanted to move to South Philly was to have a chance at the "neighborhoodness" (is that a word?) that I remember from my childhood. With all of the change and residential turnover that our community has seen over the last few years, this co-op could be one of the things that helps unite us again. What is your favorite meal to cook and why? Gosh, I don't know. It's hard to pick one dish because I really like to test our new recipes and our menu tends to be dictated by whatever we picked up in our CSA share that week. I guess the staples in my house are: homemade pizza, black bean burgers, hummus, roasted broccoli, and braised kale. I've also been on a bit of a kimchi kick lately. I love the ritual of looking through my cookbooks and picking out new things to try, and then the act of prepping, chopping, bubbling, and sizzling. Sometimes the experience of preparing a meal can be more soul satisfying than actually eating it.

On which committee do you serve?

I am currently the secretary for the Outreach Committee.

What do you do for a living?

I am a teacher.

How did you get involved with the food co-op?

A good friend.

Why do you want a food co-op in South Philly?

I am really interested in buying local food.

Why should people join a food co-op?

People should help support their community and want to educate the local population about healthy food.

What is your favorite meal to cook and why?

That's not a fair question to ask.  Too many.  Lots of seafood and vegetables.

On which committee do you serve? I am currently the secretary for the Outreach Committee. What do you do for a living? I am a teacher. How did you get involved with the food co-op? A good friend. Why do you want a food co-op in South Philly? I am really interested in buying local food. Why should people join a food co-op? People should help support their community and want to educate the local population about healthy food. What is your favorite meal to cook and why? That's not a fair question to ask.  Too many.  Lots of seafood and vegetables.

On which committee do you serve?

Legal & Finance

What do you do for a living?

I am a lawyer.

How did you get involved with the food co-op?

I came to an open meeting at SPOAC and loved the idea of helping to open a food co-op.

Why do you want a food co-op in South Philly?

Access to high quality food is important to me and the community of a co-op is a great bonus.

Why should people join a food co-op?

Community and high-quality food plus knowing that the money they spend goes back into their own neighborhood.

What is your favorite meal to cook and why?

Deep dish veggie lasagna.  It's a fun process and the result can cheer up anyone.