South Philly Food Co-op
The South Philly Food Co-op is a community grocer owned by members of its racially, ethnically, and economically diverse South Philadelphia community.
As they state on their website, “Our mission is to use food as a force for good—at our tables, in our community and for our planet. The Co-op offers fresh, local foods at fair prices and serves as a hub for our South Philly community.”
The co-op’s Community Equity Fund allows members who identify as in-need to sign up for membership for a very low initial fee. They are then given the opportunity to come up with their own payment plan designed based on what they feel they are able to pay over a 5-year period. A Community Equity Fund enables equal access and allows the co-op to reach their very diverse community.
Serving the neighborhood with healthy, locally sourced food options, this cooperative ensures all members of its community have access. They also function as a local gather space, fostering health and connection in their neighborhood.
The Untours Foundation has spent much time advocating to foundations that work on food security to use parts of their endowments to invest in food co-ops. We led by example in our investment with the South Philly Food Co-op.
Read more about their work here. Or help the Untours Foundation support other community efforts like this one by making a donation.
