Potential Manayunk Food Co-op Gets Conversation Started

Would people in Manayunk, Roxborough and Wissahickon support a food co-op?

That's the question a collection of businesses, residents and the seek to answer.

"I love the idea of the co-op, and we think it would be value added to our community," MDC Executive Director Jane Lipton said. "We don't know anything yet. We're just beginning a conversation."

Community owned, food co-ops like Weavers Way in Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, feature fresh and local produce, are supported by members, and often encourage volunteers to donate their time.

A collection of 10 local stakeholders recently met with Weavers Way to begin a fact-finding process to see if a cooperative is right for the Manayunk area.

"We wanted a conversation with Weavers Way just to have a preliminary meeting," Lipton said. "Is this something we want take a run at?"

Originally, a property owner, who Lipton wouldn't name, approached the MDC about creating a Manayunk co-op. The MDC began the conversation and on Monday launched a Facebook page to gauge interest.

Lipton emphasized the talks are all preliminary. Funding, membership, affiliation, even the name are all up for discussion.

"Some people have asked, 'Why is it called Manayunk Food Co-op?' It's not. That's just the Facebook page. We could name it Manayunk-Roxborough, Wissahickon. There's no certainty it's even in Manayunk. We're just beginning it all," she said.

Herself a member of Weavers Way, Lipton said the process could take two to four years to come to fruition. At this point, she said Weavers Way wants to stay in the background until things take shape.

On April 18, the MDC will host a community meeting to discuss a co-op. The location is up in the air and will vary depending on committed attendees. Organizers look to all local civic organizations to see what they're interests are, as well.

"We're not sure what it would look like. Now, all we can say is, "Are you interested? Then show up at the meeting.'"

Like the Manayunk Food Co-op on Facebook.

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