Beef Recall Reminds Us Why Food Co-op Vital

You don't have to dive too deep into the news on Roxborough-Manayunk Patch to find a story relevant to your lives that clearly emphasizes the need for a cooperatively owned grocery store.

Today, Patch shared this story about 22,737 pounds of beef being recalled by the USDA after E. coli was found. Looking back at the list of recent product recalls by the USDA, nine of the last 10 (dating back to May 1, 2013) originated from large-scale meat distribution facilities.

The Manayunk-Roxborough Food Co-op Initiative is partnering with Weavers Way Co-op to present an acclaimed documentary about the meat industry in America and how unhealthy most meat production is. The film, “American Meat”, is a pro-farmer look at chicken, hog and cattle production in America.

There are many great farms, including Philly's own, Philly Cow Share, who are doing it right. Philly CowhShare, according to its website, uses naturally raised, free range, 100-perecent grassfed beef to fight against the perils the wholesale beef industry allows to occur.

Philly CowShare exists in contrast to animals kept in confined animal feedlot operations where they are being fed genetically modified corn instead of natural grass, as they are being pumped full of antibiotics and steroids to get them fat enough before they get sick from the poison their bodies produce from eating corn.

The Co-op sees the movie screening as one way to educate the public on food safety and health issues and also emphasize the need for the locally owned store.

For the film screening, doors will open at 6:30 p.m. at Kendrick Recreation Center, 5822 Ridge Ave.   This evening will be a film as well as a brief introduction to the Food Co-op, how to get involved, and also a brief Q&A.

And don’t forget to stop by our weekly farmers’ market at Pretzel Park every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Visit our Facebook page for more info.