Tis the Season of Giving

This holiday season, we're partnering with Sankofa Farms, People’s Emergency Center, and Little Baby's Ice Cream to promote giving back this holiday season. Learn more about our donation drives below.   

Sankofa Farm at Bartram’s Garden

Located at Bartram’s Garden, Sankofa Farm is a teaching farm that provides Mariposa with local, chemical-free product throughout the year (remember those beautiful cherry tomatoes we had last summer?!) Donate to Sankofa Farms at our register or online through December 31st.

Your generosity will have a direct and immediate impact:

• Providing stipends for the roughly 20 high school students who are hired to tend the farm and run the farmstands each year
• Offering supplies and workshops for our 50 community gardeners, many of whom are elderly or recent immigrants
• Sustaining the year-round youth development curriculum, including lessons on nutrition and kitchen skills, African heritage, food justice, and leadership
• Welcoming more than 10,000 schoolchildren to our outdoor classroom each year
• And helping the farm grow and distribute more than 15,000 pounds of fresh, organic produce each year.

Donate to Sankofa Farms online or at our register through December 31st.

Mentrual Care Drive

We're collecting menstrual care products, including pads, tampons, menstrual cups, to be donated to those in need through People’s Emergency Center. Donate unopened or opened boxes and menstrual care products in store through Sunday, December 31st. 

Socks & Undie Drive 

Mariposa is a drop spot for Little Baby’s Ice Cream second annual sock & undie drive. Donate multipacks of socks and underwear (m, l, xl appreciated) in store through December 23rd. Multipacks must be unopened and new.

Mariposa Food Co-op donates over $5,000 to New Sanctuary Movement

We're excited to share that we've donated $5,048 in unredeemed patronage refunds to the New Sanctuary Movement! 

This past year, Mariposa Food Co-op transitioned from offering a daily owner discount to distributing patronage refunds. By the end of September, roughly 58% of Mariposa owners redeemed their patronage refund. Mariposa staff voted to donate the remainder of the patronage refunds to the New Sanctuary Movement due to their commitment to immigration rights and social justice.     

Fight the "Pilgrim Pipeline," donate to the Ramapough Lenape Nation

Mariposa Food Co-op recognizes Thanksgiving is rooted in the celebration of white supremacy and colonization. In solidarity with the fight for indigenous sovereignty, we are collecting donations for the Ramapough Lenape Nation at the register through November 23rd. Plus, 5% of sales on November 22nd and November 23rd will be donated to their efforts.

Who is the Ramapough Lenape Nation

Since October 2016, under the leadership of the Ramapough Lenape Nation, Split Rock Sweetwater Prayer Camp has been holding space and leading the fight against the proposed Pilgrim Pipeline, a 178-mile pipeline that would carry up to 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day from Albany, New York to Linden, New Jersey endangering local water supplies, sacred sites, and essential wetlands.

Unfortunately, the presence of Split Rock Sweetwater Prayer Camp has exposed deeper issues surrounding indigenous sovereignty, land rights, freedom of religion, and discrimination against the Ramapough Lenape Nation. Water and land protectors at Split Rock Sweetwater Prayer Camp have experienced harassment, intimidation, and false accusations on an ongoing basis from the Town of Mahwah and surrounding Polo Club neighbors.

The camp is in URGENT need of defense funds to protect our land and water protectors at Split Rock Sweetwater Prayer Camp. Donate online or at Mariposa Food Co-op through November 23rd.

New season, new look

Just as the changing seasons are reflected in our produce department, we felt the need to make a change to reflect the growth of our food co-op.

Over the last 45 years, we’ve grown from a tiny storefront open only a few days a week to a space that is triple in size with over 2,700 owners. Over the last five years, we’ve seen our organization grow to over 45 employees, expand our sales programs, and most recently, expand upon our food access programs and employee benefits.

But, with this growth, we’ve seen our fair share of growing pains. Our limited brand elements made it difficult to connect to the community and create a meaningful impact. Mariposa was often mistaken as a CSA (community supported agriculture) program, produce market, or exclusive buying club. Sometimes a combination of the three.

Over the past year, we’ve worked with a local branding consultant to update our brand guidelines to reflect our values, specifically creating and fostering a welcoming community space and providing access to healthy and sustainably-grown foods.

Over the next few months, you will see updated elements in our store and online. In the meantime, explore some of our new branding elements below.  

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Donate at the register to save Atiya Ola’s Cafe

Atiya Ola’s Spirit 1st Foods, a staple of the West Philadelphia community since 2008, is being threatened by displacement and will close by the end of the month. Atiya is currently raising funds to relocate her restaurant and community space.  

Donations are being accepted at Mariposa Food Co-op through June 30th. If you would like to donate, please tell your cashier the next time you shop. One hundred percent (100%) of the funds will be donated to Atiya Ola. With support from the Black and Brown Workers Collective, donations are also being accepted through her Go Fund Me campaign.

Photo credit: UCD

News Roundup June 2, 2017

Vegans, Rejoice! Dottie’s Donuts Is Opening a 2nd Storefront

Dottie’s Donuts has a very sweet gift for you on this National Donut Day, friends! The makers of delicious vegan donuts (think: rose-water pistachio, and chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-filled creations), who opened their first shop on West Philly’s Springfield Avenue last year, just announced they’ll be opening a second shop verrrrry soon. And the location kind of can’t be beat: They’ll be opening right next door to the all-vegan Blackbird Pizzeria on South 6th Street in Queen Village.

Read more

Community engagement could end up being Rebuild’s most important outcome

It was late last year that we learned more about Rebuild, the city’s new six- to eight-year initiative improving its large swath of recreation centers, parks and libraries under Mayor Jim Kenney’s administration.

Among its set goals, Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell said the $500M project would have a focus on “equity and leverage investment” for the communities it would impact.

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Blackwell library reopens in West Philadelphia

Looking for a good book? You can now find it at the Lucien E. Blackwell Regional Library at 125 S. 52nd St. (near Sansom) in West Philadelphia.

The Lucien E. Blackwell Regional Library reopened its doors after having been closed for 15 months for repairs and renovations.

The reopening of the popular library was a grand celebration attended by hundreds of residents, elected officials and visitors to the area who joined in the festivities which included food, entertainment, a tour of the facility and a host of other activities.

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West Philadelphia spot lands on '100 Best Brunch Restaurants in America' list

Got plans this weekend?

OpenTable, a website used for restaurant reservations, published its list of "100 Best Brunch Restaurants in America" earlier this month, and there's a familiar name on there.

West Philadelphia's Aksum, a Mediterranean cafe on 46th Street and Baltimore Avenue, was the lone Philly eatery to make its way onto the rankings.

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News Roundup May 19, 2017

Austin found a viable, socially conscious response to Uber and Lyft. Can Philly follow?

Early in 2017, even the most mildly woke millennial found themselves asking: “Isn’t there anything other than Uber?”

The transportation network app found itself in hot water when it came out that CEO Travis Kalanick would serve on President Donald Trump’s Business Advisory Council. Soon after, in late January, Uber lowered surge prices during a taxi workers’ strike at JFK airport, a move seen as effectively turning its drivers into scabs.

Read more.

West Philly's The Workshop School joins this year’s Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby

Every year, the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby welcomes a crew of visionaries to create people-powered vehicles that run on both ingenuity and creativity. This year, the parade of repurposed bikes and fantastic floats is opening up to a younger demographic. It's usually run by older folks. 

Read more. 

Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, University City Dining Days and more popular events to return this summer

The University City District (UCD) has announced that they will bring back several popular events this summer, including Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, University City Dining Days, and the 40th Street Summer Series. Here’s the UCD sponsored event schedule for Summer 2017 with some more details.

Read more. 

Philly Remembers 4 Cyclists During Ride of Silence

Four bicyclists have been killed in the Delaware Valley in the last year, and 2017 Ride of Silence attendees will remember them, and all fallen cyclists, on Wednesday, May 17th at 6:45pm.

The purpose of this silent ride is to honor cyclists killed/injured in motor vehicle related accidents and to raise awareness about the rights of cyclists to ride the roads. The ride is being held in Philadelphia for the thirteenth year in a row and in its 15th year since its inception. The ride is open to everyone.

Read more.

News Roundup May 5, 2017

Students Get Help From Top Chefs to Design Healthy School Snack

Students in Philly schools can now grab a free breakfast snack that was developed by one of their own — and some of Philly’s top chefs.

Rebel Ventures — a nonprofit, youth-powered social enterprise based in West Philly — is the brains behind the Rebel Crumble, the first school snack ever designed, produced, and marketed by local students, for local students.

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Bartram's Mile Trail officially opens to the public

The 1.1-mile Bartram’s Mile Trail opened over the weekend, lengthening the Schuylkill River Trail from Grays Ferry Avenue to 56th Street. The trail unlocks the connection point in the Circuit Trails, a multi-use trail network, opening Southwest Philadelphia to the city’s park system.

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Philly journalism students use video to explore MOVE bombing, the decline of bees, standardized testing, more

Over spring break, WHYY hosted a week-long day camp for Philadelphia middle school students interested in learning about journalism. The 25 students formed five groups, each led by an adult mentor, to produce a video on a topic of their choice. Their work is featured here with introductions from each team.

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Developer presents timeline for Osage Pine Project at MOVE bombing site

The developer chosen to rehabilitate 36 vacant properties at the site of the 1985 MOVE bombing in Cobbs Creek has announced an anticipated timeline for the Osage Pine Project, pledging to involve members of the community both in construction and as vendors.

AJR Endeavors was selected earlier this month by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to lead the renovation project along the 6200 blocks of Osage Avenue and Pine Street. The location's history has long remained a sensitive issue for the city since the disastrous fire that followed a police siege on the headquarters of the radical black liberation group MOVE.

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News Roundup April 21, 2017

Vientiane's Adventurous Eats Dinner Is Not for the Squeamish

Cuisine imported from other countries is usually, out of necessity, adapted to the local palate. The original ingredients might not be readily available, or the heat and spice might be more than the average American taste buds can handle. But Vientiane Cafe is throwing caution to the wind with an Adventurous Eats dinner inspired by the Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern.

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Redevelopment authority selects firm to redevelop houses destroyed in MOVE incident

The Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority selected AJR Endeavors to redevelop three dozen properties that were involved in the infamous MOVE explosion that took place in 1985 and marred a neighborhood, the city and its mayor.

The effort by the city agency looks to have those properties redeveloped and, though it won’t erase history, it has the potential to set that part of Philadelphia on a new course.

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Philly Black community leaders launch iBuyBlack discount card

A new program is being launched with the idea of keeping your dollars in your community.

African American business owners say this program is aimed at encouraging city residents to spend their dollars at black owned businesses. And with a discount card, the hope is they will do just that.

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Horticultural Society to plant trees in honor of slain activist

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will plant trees in honor of a slain local activist, beginning with 31 in University City and will place a tree in Clark Park. The planting will be in honor of Winnie Harris, a greening activist who was slain in February.

A walking procession will begin at 10 a.m. on April 22 from the City School — Spruce Hill campus parking lot, 4115 Baltimore Ave., to a ceremony that will be held at Clark Park, in the 4300 block of Baltimore Ave.

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Solar co-ops help homeowners harness the sun’s energy

Sal Fede's house isn't much to look at from the street. With a low roof and a drab-colored wall hiding the windows in the front, it could almost be mistaken for a bunker or a fallout shelter.

 "It's called the 'backward house' on the block," says Fede, who's 52.

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Kudos for a One-Man Community Development Corporation

For many years, the nicest building at the intersection of 40th and Chestnut streets in University City was the one with the sign reading “Chestnut Villa” on top of it. Neat and tidy, with crimson awnings over its storefront windows, it was a signal that at least one person cared about this sometimes-bedraggled crossroads on the fringe of the University of Pennsylvania campus.

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Local attorney hopes to become nation's first male trans judge

Columnists don't usually single out a candidate running for office unless it's newsworthy.   

That certainly is the case with Henry McGregor Sias.  Should the 40-year-old lawyer emerge victorious  in the May 16 Democratic primary for a Common Pleas Court seat,  he'll have cleared a major hurdle toward becoming the nation's first transgender man to be elected a judge.

Sias, who has clerked under various local judges and also started his own law practice, hopes his unique story will help boost voter turnout in his favor.

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