Congo Coffee Project

We’re gearing up for World Fair Trade Day on May 14 by celebrating our Fair Trade and Fairly Traded products, such as Equal Exchange. Adhering to the Authentic Fair Trade model, Equal Exchange - also a cooperative! - was founded in 1986 to challenge the existing trade model, which favors large plantations, agri-business, and multi-national corporations. Equal Exchange supports small farmers through direct trade and connects consumers and producers through information, education, and the exchange of products in the marketplace.

Fast forward to 2011, Equal Exchange founded the Congo Coffee Project in partnership with the Panzi Foundation as a means to bring Congolese coffee to market in the United States and raise awareness about the alarming rate of sexual violence that takes place every day.

Sexual violence has affected thousands of people in the Democratic Republic of Congo over the last two decades. While there are not many resources, survivors seek refuge and assistance at the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, DRC, a bustling hospital with more than 360 staff and thousands of visitors each year. Founded by Dr. Dennis Mukwege, a world renowned gynecologist, two time Nobel Peace Prize nominee and out-spoken activist, the hospital treats patients with various ailments, but has become known as a safe place for survivors of sexual violence to seek treatment and heal from their trauma.

The Congo Coffee Project has raised more than $50,000 for survivors of sexual violence and has worked with numerous organizations to tell the story of the DRC to the world. You, too, can make a contribution to the Congo Coffee Project by making a purchase in store. $1 of each sale directly benefits the Panzi Foundation.

For more information about Equal Exchange, visit equalexchange.coop/congo-coffee-project

May Day aka International Workers Day

Written by Rae Scoles, Grocery Coordinator

A little past...

Throughout history, the working class has been serially taken advantage of, treated unfairly, and forced to work in brutal conditions. Out of the Renaissance came a burgeoning capitalism which brought with it industrialization, the factory, and more injustices for laborers. Forced to work long hours in poor conditions, factory workers began to demand their rights, including that of an eight hour work day. In Chicago, this struggle came to a head in May of 1886 at the Haymarket Riot. What started as a peaceful rally to attain the 8 hour work day ended in police killing several activists. The next day, when the police tried to disperse their gathering again, someone threw a homemade explosive at them, killing seven officers and four civilians. While nothing could be definitively proved against any of them, eight anarchists were convicted of conspiracy in the bombing. Sentenced to death, they gave their lives for the eight hour work day which we still enjoy. May Day, also known as International Worker’s Day, is celebrated throughout the world on May 1.

A little present…

Capitalism still commodifies laborers--factories are built in countries without laws to protect workers, sweat shops employ children, companies structure hours in such a way as to avoid giving employees benefits,  laborers are paid a minimum wage which hasn’t risen in years while CEOs are making untaxed millions. It’s not that we haven’t come a long way in the struggle for human rights for the working class, it’s just that there is so far we still have to go. The cooperative model is working to close that gap by seeking to treat employees fairly, pay well, give workers benefits, do business with others who practice fair trade, and by valuing workers as human beings who are much more than a number on a spreadsheet. No system is perfect, but by consciously working to be less exploitative, the cooperative model is standing on the side of laborers. This month, Mariposa will be celebrating World Fair Trade Day to recognize the efforts of  the fair trade movement which are turning the tide against exploitative labor practices.

~With hope and solidarity~

Events in the Area

• May Day USA Education Committee of Philadelphia, Fight for 15, and 15 Now are hosting a march from the McDonald's at 40th and Chestnut to Clark park starting at 1pm
• May Day USA Education Committee of Philadelphia hosts the Stand Up Fight Back May Day Rally in Clark Park at 2pm. Keynote speaker - Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, theologian, activist and author Chris Hedges! Other May Day speakers include Dr. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor from Princeton University’s African American Studies Department whose latest book is From ‪#‎BlackLivesMatter‬ to Black Liberation (2016); City Councilwoman and education activist Helen Gym; Philadelphia Poet Laureate (2013-2015) Frank Sherlock; and Henry Nicholas, the President of District 1199C, National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees. Go to https://www.facebook.com/maydayphiladelphia/?fref=photo for more details.

What’s the deal with Castile?

Traditionally made from olive oil in the Castile region of Spain, Castile soap has come to mean any vegetable oil-based soap. Most commercially made soaps are animal fat-based soap, often a complex blend of detergents with a higher ecological impact due to the waste stream during manufacture and slower biodegradability. Dr. Bronner’s soaps are 100% true pure-castile soaps. The coconut oil based soap contains certified organic, fair trade and 100% vegan ingredients and uses no detergents, foaming agents or animal testing. The soap is packaged using 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, too.

You can use Dr. Bronner’s for more than just a body soap - in fact it has 18 uses! Lisa Bronner, granddaughter to the founder Dr. Emanuel Bronner, breaks it down for us.

Body Uses

Face 2-3 drops on wet hands, applied to wet face Body one small squirt on a wet washcloth, applied to a wet body Hair ½ Tbsp. in your hand, worked into wet hair, or dilute ½ Tbsp. in ½ a cup of water and work that into wet hair Bath Completely depends upon water amount, but roughly 2 Tbsp. soap in an average sized tub. (Doesn’t bubble, but still cleans) Shaving Face – 10 drops Underarms – 3 drops Legs – ½ tsp Work to a lather in wet hands and then apply to area. Teeth 1 drop on a toothbrush. (Yes, it tastes like soap.) Foot Bath 1 ½ tsp. in a small tub of hot water. Clearing Congestion 1 Tbsp. in a bowl of steamy hot water. Breathe in mist with a towel draped over the head.

Household Uses

Dishes (handwashing) Pre-dilute 1:10 with water. Squirt on a scrub brush and scrub dishes. Laundry 1/3-1/2 c. of soap for a large load in a normal washer. Add ½ c. vinegar to the rinse cycle. Use half of these amounts for HE Mopping ½ c. of soap in 3 gallons of hot water All-purpose cleaning ¼ c. soap in a quart of water in a spray bottle. Add ¼ tsp. tea tree essential oil if desired. Windows 1 Tbsp. soap in a quart of water in a spray bottle. Follow up with pure club soda, or half vinegar/ half water. Toilet Predilute 1:4 with water in a squirt bottle. Add ¼ tsp. tea tree oil. Empty toilet, squirt bowl thoroughly, sprinkle baking soda on the brush, scrub bowl, let sit 10 minutes, turn water on, flush.

Other Uses

Fruit and Veggie Rinse 1 dash (approx.. ¼ tsp.) in a bowl of water. Dunk produce and swish. Then rinse in clear water. Dog washing Amount varies widely depending on size, hair type and length, and overall dirtiness. I wet my dog thoroughly, then start to work in castile soap up and down their body until I have a good lather. Really massage it in down to the skin. Your dog will thank you for it. Plant spray for bugs 1 Tbsp. in a quart of water. Add ½ tsp. cayenne pepper or cinnamon, if desired. Ant spray (not on plants) ¼ c. tea tree soap in a quart of water. (This concentration will burn plants.)

News Roundup: April 29, 2016

Stay updated about what’s happening in our community. Have something to share? Please contact marketing@mariposa.coop

2016 Primary Election Results; How Some Sections of West Philadelphia Voted

The 2016 Pennsylvania Primary Election results are in, and here are some local results and a breakdown by wards on the vote for presidential candidates. Overall, West Philadelphia’s Democratic voters supported Hillary Clinton, except for the 27th Ward where Bernie Sanders came out on top. Read more.

Philly Expands Bike-Share Program After a Booming First Year

Indego, the city's bike-sharing system, celebrated its first birthday on Thursday. And as with any good birthday party, there were a lot of presents - from 24 new docking stations to 300 new bikes and a new way for low-income residents to pay to use the system.

Mayor Kenney led the celebrations on a sun-splashed Race Street Pier, one of the locations to get a new docking station. Read more.

New Lancaster Avenue Café Aims to Feed Everyone At the Table with Pay-What-You-Can Pricing

About 40 percent of food in the United States is never eaten, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. It’s tough to point fingers when there is no one to blame. We’ve all bought meat or produce that has gone bad before we have gotten around to preparing it. The EAT (Everyone At the Table) Café, a nonprofit subsidiary of the Center for Hunger-free Communities at Drexel University, aims to approach food resources a little differently to reduce waste and make access to healthy food more affordable with a pay-what-you-can price structure. Read more.

Socialize the Banks

These days observers worry about banks — European institutions like Germany’s Deutsche Bank, France’s Societé Generale, and Italy’s Monte di Pascoale, not to mention the zombie banks that populate the austerity-ridden eurozone periphery in Greece, Portugal, and Spain. These big banks are widely seen as global capitalism’s next weak link, capable of causing massive financial instability if they go bust. Read more.

Live Every Day Like Taco Tuesday

It doesn't have to be Tuesday for you to enjoy tacos. Tacos are versatile and quick & easy to make. Stuff them with veggies for an extra boost. Find some of our favorite taco recipes below.

Tempeh Taco Filling

Chicken Tacos with Charred Tomatoes

Total Time: 

35 minutes

Servings: 

2

Charring tomatoes in a hot, dry skillet makes them smoky and flavorful; in combination with fresh herbs and spices, they elevate this dish from "everyday" to "ta-da!" Serve the tacos with reduced-fat sour cream.

 Ingredients: 2 plum tomatoes, cored 8 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed of fat 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 2 teaspoons canola oil, divided 1/2 cup finely chopped white onion 1 clove garlic, minced 1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced 2 teaspoons lime juice, plus lime wedges for garnish 2 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro 2 scallions, chopped 6 small corn tortillas, heated (see Tip)

Preparation: Heat a medium skillet over high heat until very hot. Add tomatoes and cook, turning occasionally with tongs, until charred on all sides, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool slightly. Cut the tomatoes in half crosswise; squeeze to discard seeds. Remove cores and chop the remaining pulp and skin. Cut chicken into 1-inch chunks; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add 1 teaspoon oil to the pan and heat over high heat until very hot. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and no longer pink in the middle, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and jalapeño and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add lime juice, the chicken and tomatoes. Cook, stirring, until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in cilantro and scallions. Divide the chicken mixture among tortillas. Serve with lime wedges.

Tips & Notes: Wrap tortillas in barely damp paper towels and microwave on High for 30 to 45 seconds.

Fish Tacos with Grapefruit Salsa

Total Time: 30 minutes Servings: 4

Ingredients:Salsa 2 medium grapefruit, peeled and segmented 2 tablespoons red onion, minced 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced 1/4 cup cucumber, peeled and cut in small dice 1 garlic clove, minced 2 teaspoons jalapeño, seeded and minced 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped 1 teaspoon honey 2 tablespoons lime juice Pinch of salt

Tacos 8 corn tortillas 1 pound flaky white fish (such as tilapia or catfish) 1 tablespoon black peppercorns 1 bay leaf 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce

Preparation: Carefully chop the grapefruit into chunks. In a mixing bowl, gently stir together all of the salsa ingredients. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving. While the salsa sits, prepare the fish. Fill a wide skillet with an inch of water or vegetable broth and add the bay leaf and peppercorns. Bring it to a boil and gently add the fish fillets. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, cover the pan and cook the fish through, about 10 minutes. Use a metal spatula to remove the cooked fish from the skillet and when cool enough to handle, break up the fish into small pieces and distribute it evenly among the tortillas. Top each tortilla with a heaping tablespoon of the grapefruit salsa and some shredded lettuce. Fold the tortilla over the fillings and enjoy.

Serving Suggestion: Cilantro-seasoned rice, guacamole, tortilla chips and a light ale bring out the bright, bold flavors of this dish. Substitute shredded leftover chicken or baked tofu for the fish, for a quick change of pace.

Find more recipes at http://strongertogether.coop/food-recipes

News Roundup: April 22, 2016

Stay updated about what’s happening in our community. Have something to share? Please contact marketing@mariposa.coop

Bridging the Art Gap

It’s a typical Saturday night on south 52nd Street. Neighbors spill out onto the sidewalk from delis and barbecue restaurants and barbers and sneaker stores that line the commercial corridor, once called the “Main Street” of West Philadelphia. Read more.

SEPTA Will Soon Be Looking for Early Key Card Adopters

SEPTA will soon be looking for 10,000 people to test out their new fare payment system – SEPTA Key Card – starting in June. We know what you’re thinking … you’ve heard this before. But this time SEPTA appears to be almost ready to go. Read more.

Philadelphia Awarded $3.5 Million to Reduce Prison Population

Philadelphia received a $3.5 million MacArthur Foundation grant to fund a plan to reduce the city’s prison population by 34 percent over three years by keeping appropriate non-violent offenders out of prison, more quickly moving those already incarcerated back out into the community, and seeking alternatives to prison for other offenders, reports Philly.com. Read more.

Philadelphia Makes Another Prime Showing in Latest Knight Cities Challenge

After nabbing more project grants than any other U.S. city in the Knight Foundation's inaugural 2015 Knight Cities Challenge, Philly has more reasons to be proud. As announced at an April 12 celebration at Reading Terminal Market (RTM), local winners received the largest share of the national grant program’s $5 million pool for 2016: over $873,000 for four local initiatives. Read more.

Balsamic-Glazed Strawberries

Nothing says spring more than fresh produce, like strawberries. With the weather heating up, cool off with something new like these Balsamic-Glazed Strawberries  

Ingredients:

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons honey 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 pound fresh strawberries, halved 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint 2 cups vanilla yogurt or vanilla ice cream

Preparation:

In a small saucepan, mix together the balsamic vinegar and honey. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes, until the mixture has slightly thickened. Remove from heat and add the vanilla. Toss the strawberries with the balsamic glaze and stir in the mint. Once the sauce has cooled, drizzle over scoops of yogurt or ice cream in individual serving dishes.

Serving Suggestion:

The tangy sweet sauce showcases fresh-picked strawberries at the height of the season. Spoon some over sliced pound cake or angel food cake for a special dessert.

See more at: http://strongertogether.coop/recipes/

Maple Mustard Brisket

Take advantage of Mariposa Deals, like Happy Valley Meat Co. brisket, on sale this week. Relatively new to Mariposa, Happy Valley Meat Co. is an all natural beef provider that connects small family farms in Centre and Lancaster County with dining and retail locations like us! Happy Valley Meat Co. beef can also be found in popular Philadelphia restaurants like, Fork Restaurant, High Street on Market, Talula’s Garden and more. Try their brisket using this savory, simple Maple Mustard Brisket recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 4-pound beef brisket
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (find me in bulk!)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (find me in bulk!)
• 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and black pepper (find me in bulk!)
• 4 tablespoons
• Dijon or stone ground mustard, divided
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 1 celery stalk, sliced crosswise
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup

Preparation:

1. Season the brisket with the garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper and 2 tablespoons of mustard. Wrap the brisket in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours (or overnight).
2. Preheat the oven to 300°F.
3. Heat a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil and brown the brisket for 5 minutes on each side. Remove the brisket from the pan and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, sauté the onion, carrots, celery and garlic for a few minutes in the brisket juices, then add the red wine and water. Place the brisket back in the pan on top of the veggies and cover the pan tightly with an oven-proof lid or aluminum foil. Place the pan in the oven and cook the brisket, covered, for 3 hours until very tender. Remove from oven.
5. To prepare the maple sauce, carefully remove 1 cup of the juices from the brisket pan and put into a small skillet or saucepan. Add the maple syrup and remaining mustard and bring to a simmer for about 5 minutes. Slice the warm brisket across the grain and serve with sauce.

Serving Suggestion:

Potatoes, root vegetables, green beans or roasted winter squash (such as Hubbard or kabocha tossed with garlic and parsley) are all delicious accompaniments to this delightful holiday entrée.

See more at: http://strongertogether.coop/recipes/

Spring cleaning? We're here to help!

Shop during Earth Day weekend (Friday, April 22 - Sunday, April 24) to enter to win our Spring Cleaning Giveaway*! The more you shop, the better your chances. Remember to grab your raffle ticket from your cashier when you check out.

While we sell a number of natural cleaning products in store for your convenience, consider making your own cleaning solutions with common household items.

The basic supplies you’ll need to make your own green cleaners include:

• Distilled white vinegar
• Baking soda
• Water
• Essential oils - we have a wide variety in our Health & Beauty section (optional)

Use the recipes below as an alternative to what is sold on the shelves.

Glass: Mix 1/4 cup vinegar with 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. Spray on glass and wipe clean with old newspaper or a lint-free cloth.

Countertops and bathroom tile: Mix 2 parts vinegar and 1 part baking soda with 4 parts water. Apply with a sponge, scour, and wipe away.

Floors: Mix 4 cups of white distilled vinegar with about a gallon of hot water. If desired, add a few drops of pure peppermint or lemon oil for a pleasant scent. After damp mopping the floors, the smell of vinegar will dissipate quickly, leaving behind only the scent of the oil.

Toilet bowl cleaner: Sprinkle a toilet brush with baking soda and scrub away! Occasionally disinfect your toilet by scrubbing with borax instead. Wipe the outside of the toilet clean with straight vinegar.

Mold and mildew: Wipe with straight vinegar.

*Spring Cleaning Giveaway includes Seventh Generation all purpose cleaner, Seventh Generation trash bags, Seventh Generation natural sponges (4), Seventh Generation chlorine free bleach, Seventh Generation bath tissue (2), Seventh Generation tissues, Seventh Generation disinfecting wipes, Seventh Generation dish liquid

News Roundup: April 15, 2016

Stay updated about what's happening in our community. Have something to share? Please contact marketing@mariposa.coop

Philly Spring Cleanup is Saturday, Apr. 16; Multiple volunteer projects in West Philly

The city will hold its 9th annual Spring Cleanup on Saturday, Apr. 16 (rescheduled from Apr. 9 due to inclement weather forecast). More than 800 cleanup projects have been registered throughout the city, including dozens in West Philadelphia. Community involvement is essential and many projects are still seeking volunteers. Residents are also encouraged to step outside their buildings, pick up trash and remove debris or check out empty lots nearby for litter. Read more.

Find your next job at INTER/VIEW

This April, Generocity wants you to get a job. Not just any job — one that lets you do good and do well at the same time. Philly is seeing investment and social enterprise grow locally, and organizations are starting to take notice that potential employees are looking for more than a way to pay the bills. They’re looking for a way to give back. Read more.

How local artists are communicating hard facts about the ‘new Jim Crow’

Mass incarceration is undeniably real, and the facts are laid out in Michelle Alexander‘s 2010 book “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness.” But the book is dense and difficult to digest, drowning out data that should serve as a call to action:

• There are over 2.4 million people imprisoned in the U.S. That’s the most of any country, and has increased over 500 percent since the Nixon administration declared a “war on drugs.”
• Of those 2.4 million, 60 percent are people of color.
• 75 percent of people convicted for drug charges are of color. This has resulted in the disenfranchisement of over 2 million people of color — 7.7 percent of black adults, compared to 1.8 percent of non-people of color.

Read more.

West Philly Porchfest – Info Meeting and Hype Session

Porchfest – a free, one-day, decentralized festival of music-making on porches all over the neighborhood – is coming to West Philly! Porchfest is scheduled for SATURDAY, JUNE 4th – save the date! In the mean time, come to our kick-off meeting/hype session to get pumped up for the big day, learn more about it and get involved in making it happen! Read more.

20 Book Clubs, 20 Cooperative Businesses

We’re thrilled to announce that PACA staff member Caitlin Quigley is a winner of the Knight Cities Challenge with her project “20 Book Clubs, 20 Cooperative Businesses!” Caitlin and PACA were awarded a $146,000 grant by the Knight Foundation to implement this exciting new project. The Knight Cities Challenge named 37 winners out of a pool of over 4,500 applicants. Read more.