PHILADELPHIA, PA, (May 21, 2015) — The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education and Weavers Way Co-op announce “Food for Thought: Connecting with the Land of Philadelphia,” a unique event that explores the intersection between environmental issues and food justice on Thursday, May 28, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Participants are invited to spend the evening at the forest pavilion of the Schuylkill Center, taste an array of local cheeses, beer and wine, and enjoy a panel discussion focused on the power of highly innovative regional food systems to transform Philadelphia’s urban landscape.
The evening’s panelists share a common vision of Philadelphia as a place that’s not only beautiful, but that serves citizens in ways that promote health, education, civic engagement and environmental responsibility, recalling William Penn’s initial conception of a city set harmoniously within an expansive park.
From urban farms and community gardens to city-wide parks, creative and inspiring initiatives are empowering residents from all walks of life to grow food, strengthen community bonds and demonstrate new potential for positive change.
We'll learn how partnering with youth to use Philadelphia's urban areas to grow gardens also grows strong young people, and how two women have helped the city begin cutting-edge projects to re-imagine forgotten spaces throughout the city — and how others can get involved in taking back the lost corners of their own neighborhoods.
The Schuylkill Center is located in the wilds of Philadelphia's Roxborough neighborhood at 8480 Hagys Mill Road (map).
Tickets are $15 per person for the general public and $10 for members of SCEE and Weavers Way. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Schuylkillcenter.org or call 215-482-7300, ext. 110.
About Weavers Way: Founded as a buying club in 1973, “the Co-op” now has grocery stores in Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, two health and wellness specialty shops and a pet supply store. Owned by its 5,400 member households, “the Co-op” emphasizes products that are healthy, sustainable and local, and supports fair prices, fair trade and fair treatment of workers. At Weavers Way, anyone can join and everyone can shop. For more information, visit www.weaversway.coop.
About the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education: Founded in 1965, SCEE was one of the first urban environmental education centers in the country. As the founding families intended when they donated farmland and woods at Philadelphia's northwestern edge half a century ago, the Center has evolved into an "island of green" for the discovery, exploration and study of nature. For more information, visit www.schuylkillcenter.org.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, April 28, 2015 — The Henry Got Crops farmstand — featuring Weavers Way’s own fresh-grown produce along with a selection of the best locally sourced products — reopens Friday, May 8, with a very special volunteer day featuring games, grilling and vendors providing samples. The public is welcome to come to the farmstand at 7095 Henry Ave., at W.B. Saul High School in Roxborough, to try some delicious food and even volunteer to do a little farmwork to kick off the 2015 farming season.
Starting at 11 a.m., farmers will lead volunteers in the first farm work day of the year. Then, from 3 to 6 p.m., local vendors will offer samples, and there will be games and activities for children. Weavers Way’s chefs will be serving up sandwiches and grilling sausages from our friends at Stryker Farm.
The farmstand features produce grown at the Weavers Way farms at Saul and at Awbury Arboretum in Germantown, along with locally sourced essentials — eggs, meat, dairy products, bread and fruit — and seasonal and specialty items including locally roasted coffee, artisan ice cream and apple cider. We focus on the best of our local producers when selecting items to sell at the Henry Got Crops farmstand!
Regular hours, through October, are Tuesdays 2-7 p.m. and Fridays 2-6 p.m.
These local vendors will be on hand for opening day:
Pete Merzbacher, Philly Bread: Freshest artisan bread made from flour milled in-house in Olney.
Amy Zitelman, Soom Foods Tahini & Dips: Incredible tahini spreads and tahini based dips from a Philadelphia-based, woman-owned company.
David, Jubilee Hill Tulsi Tea: Refreshing, locally grown herbal tea blends from Pottstown, PA
Heidi Barr, Kitchen Garden Series: Tea towels and napkins made from recycled materials, with a share of profits donated to the farms.
Andy Satinsky, Weckerly’s Ice Cream: Delectable ice cream manufactured in North Philadelphia with milk, eggs and flavorings from local, sustainable producers.
Monthly Saturday volunteer work days continue through October at both farms, and Weavers Way Farms staff host movie nights and other children’s activities through the summer at the Henry Got Crops farm. For more information about farm activities, or any Weavers Way events, visit www.weaversway.coop/events.
In the Henry Got Crops CSA, consumers buy a portion of the season’s harvest up front, and pick up a box of produce weekly at the farm. The farmstand provides an additional outlet for educational programming, giving Saul students real-world experience in finance, customer service and the retail food business.
Weavers Way Farms produce is available at:
Weavers Way Mt. Airy 559 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia, PA 191119 Daily 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Weavers Way Chestnut Hill 8424 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118 Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Henry Got Crops Farmstand Saul High School 7095 Henry Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19128 Tuesdays 2-7 p.m. and Fridays 2-6 p.m. May 8-Oct. 30
Weavers Way Farmstand at Headhouse Farmers’ Market 2nd and Lombard streets, Philadelphia, PA 19147 Sundays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. starting May 3
About Weavers Way: Founded in 1973 as a neighborhood food buying club, Weavers Way has grown to encompass four stores and two urban farms. In May 2015, Weavers Way celebrates the fifth anniversary of its Chestnut Hill location. Cooperatively owned by 5,400 member households, “the Co-op” emphasizes products that are healthy, sustainable and local, and supports fair prices, fair trade and fair treatment of workers. At Weavers Way, anyone can join and everyone can shop. For more information, visit www.weaversway.coop.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, April 28, 2015 — The Henry Got Crops farmstand — featuring Weavers Way’s own fresh-grown produce along with a selection of the best locally sourced products — reopens Friday, May 8, with a very special volunteer day featuring games, grilling and vendors providing samples. The public is welcome to come to the farmstand at 7095 Henry Ave., at W.B. Saul High School in Roxborough, to try some delicious food and even volunteer to do a little farmwork to kick off the 2015 farming season.
Starting at 11 a.m., farmers will lead volunteers in the first farm work day of the year. Then, from 3 to 6 p.m., local vendors will offer samples, and there will be games and activities for children. Weavers Way’s chefs will be serving up sandwiches and grilling sausages from our friends at Stryker Farm.
The farmstand features produce grown at the Weavers Way farms at Saul and at Awbury Arboretum in Germantown, along with locally sourced essentials — eggs, meat, dairy products, bread and fruit — and seasonal and specialty items including locally roasted coffee, artisan ice cream and apple cider. We focus on the best of our local producers when selecting items to sell at the Henry Got Crops farmstand!
Regular hours, through October, are Tuesdays 2-7 p.m. and Fridays 2-6 p.m.
These local vendors will be on hand for opening day:
Pete Merzbacher, Philly Bread: Freshest artisan bread made from flour milled in-house in Olney.
Amy Zitelman, Soom Foods Tahini & Dips: Incredible tahini spreads and tahini based dips from a Philadelphia-based, woman-owned company.
David, Jubilee Hill Tulsi Tea: Refreshing, locally grown herbal tea blends from Pottstown, PA
Heidi Barr, Kitchen Garden Series: Tea towels and napkins made from recycled materials, with a share of profits donated to the farms.
Andy Satinsky, Weckerly’s Ice Cream: Delectable ice cream manufactured in North Philadelphia with milk, eggs and flavorings from local, sustainable producers.
Monthly Saturday volunteer work days continue through October at both farms, and Weavers Way Farms staff host movie nights and other children’s activities through the summer at the Henry Got Crops farm. For more information about farm activities, or any Weavers Way events, visit www.weaversway.coop/events.
In the Henry Got Crops CSA, consumers buy a portion of the season’s harvest up front, and pick up a box of produce weekly at the farm. The farmstand provides an additional outlet for educational programming, giving Saul students real-world experience in finance, customer service and the retail food business.
Weavers Way Farms produce is available at:
Weavers Way Mt. Airy 559 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia, PA 191119 Daily 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Weavers Way Chestnut Hill 8424 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118 Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Henry Got Crops Farmstand Saul High School 7095 Henry Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19128 Tuesdays 2-7 p.m. and Fridays 2-6 p.m. May 8-Oct. 30
Weavers Way Farmstand at Headhouse Farmers’ Market 2nd and Lombard streets, Philadelphia, PA 19147 Sundays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. starting May 3
About Weavers Way: Founded in 1973 as a neighborhood food buying club, Weavers Way has grown to encompass four stores and two urban farms. In May 2015, Weavers Way celebrates the fifth anniversary of its Chestnut Hill location. Cooperatively owned by 5,400 member households, “the Co-op” emphasizes products that are healthy, sustainable and local, and supports fair prices, fair trade and fair treatment of workers. At Weavers Way, anyone can join and everyone can shop. For more information, visit www.weaversway.coop.
On the heels of the successful Food For All discount program for Co-op member-owners on public assistance, Weavers Way is announcing another food-access effort, this one a weekly 10% discount for members who are 65 or older.
On the heels of the successful Food For All discount program for Co-op member-owners on public assistance, Weavers Way is announcing another food-access effort, this one a weekly 10% discount for members who are 65 or older.
Committees (and other groups formed under the auspices of Weavers Way) are vehicles by which members contribute to the evolution of the Co-op every day. Committees promote public dialog and education, plan and lead workshops, organize panel discussions and other events, serve as pools of expertise, and stand by as informal consultants. They contribute regularly to our monthly newspaper, The Shuttle. They also represent the Co-op at community events and act as liaisons to our many community partners.
Any member can join an existing Weavers Way committee, club, or community group, or propose a new one. Committee members earn working member credit for participating in monthly meetings and/or special projects for a minimum of six consecutive months. The commitment of time generally translates into one to three hours per month.
Weavers Way Bylaws, Article VI, states that committees “are formed to provide members with a way to participate actively and meaningfully in the life and mission of the Co-op.” Committees form important bridges between Weavers Way staff, the Board of Directors, membership-at-large, and the neighborhoods we serve.
The following list reflects our current, active committees. If you have thoughts about how you would like to connect with the Co-op beyond our existing committees, please reach out to the Membership Department at member@weaversway.coop.
The Environment Committee researches environmental concerns and informs the Co-op and its members about current environmental issues. This committee develops green projects locally, monitors store-related environmental concerns and makes recommendations. In addition, the committee awards grants to community groups.
The Environment Committee meets the second Wednesday of the month.
Farm Committee
The Farm Committee lends critical support to our two farms. This committee provides extra help directly to our farm manager, Nina Berryman, and her hard-working staff, and also helps organize special events and volunteers at the farms.
The Food Justice Committee works to alleviate hunger and advocates for fair food-production and food-distribution systems. This group studies how food insecurity directly affects our neighborhoods and examines ways to promote equal access to whole, natural foods. Email: foodjustice@weaversway.coop, or visit the Weavers Way Food Justice Committee page.
The Food Justice Committee meets the second Wednesday of the month.
New Economy Incubator Committee
The New Economy Incubator Committee identifies and develops best practices for the implementation of a local economy within our Northwest community. These best practices assure the equitable delivery of goods and services within our community, with the greatest autonomy, and with the least environmental impact. The committee pursues new applications of the cooperative model to endeavors such as worker owned and operated enterprises and public banking.
During our existence, we have been instrumental in launching a solar energy cooperative, a farmers market at Maplewood Mall, and the Free Loan Association of Germantown (FLAG). Future plans include the creation of a commercial kitchen, as well as facilitating education and discussion about worker-owned co-ops.
The New Economy Incubator Committee meets the third Monday of the month.
Philadelphia Backyard Chickens
Philadelphia Backyard Chickens acts as a resource for members who are interested in raising and keeping chickens. Members share experience and information, advocating for the legalization of raising and keeping backyard chickens in Philadelphia. For more info, visit the Philadelphia Backyard Chickens Facebook page.
Formed in the spring of 2018, the PRTF is a sub-committee of the Weavers Way Environment Committee. The Task Force investigates waste issues associated with the full life cycle of plastics, raises awareness about the effects of unregulated plastic production and advises the Co-op on ways to reduce single-use plastics in our operations.
Racial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee
The Racial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Committee seeks to expand diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels of Weavers Way Co-op, including the Board, management, staff, members, customers, and vendors. We do this by modeling awareness ourselves, assisting in gathering data to guide decision-making, supporting the creation of a DEI Plan with measurable outcomes, and holding Weavers Way accountable for continuing to cultivate a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization.
