Joined Weavers Way: March 2018, with his wife, Mary Pat

Why they joined: “I used to shop at Whole Foods, and when the Ambler store opened, we started shopping there. As I got to know more about Weavers Way, it just made more sense to become a member and to direct our resources toward supporting [the Co-op].”

Lives in: Flourtown

Former job(s): Tom and Mary Pat worked for the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, part of the Department of Labor and Industry. He was the manager of their suburban field office, and she was a rehabilitation counselor for the deaf.

Why they’re working members: “It seemed like a good way to kind of give back. I like the idea there’s a working member discount… When we looked and we went to the New Member Orientation, it was like, ‘This is not really that hard.’”

Co-op job history: He’s helped out in the Finance Office and has done shelf tag sorting. He works all the hours for the household.

Favorite Co-op products: Artisan breads, Philly Fair Trade coffee,  Erivan plain yogurt. They do about 60% of their shopping at the Co-op.

Thoughts on the Co-op: “I like the fact that unlike the large box stores, or a place like Whole Foods, you have a diverse range of products that have been manufactured or provided by small, local businesses. You’re sustaining…Heck of a Cookie, those kind of places — that really are small, Mom & Pop operations. You’re supporting them.”

— Karen Plourde