STATEMENT FROM MARIPOSA FOOD CO-OP LEADERSHIP

Mariposa Food Co-op is an organization that stands together with Asian-American and Pacific Islander activists, organizers, allies, and those who are working to bring awareness to those who have recently endured racial harassment, physical assault, and, unfortunately, death at the hands of white supremacy.

We send our deepest condolences to the families of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders throughout this city, country, and worldwide, who have witnessed and suffered the loss of a loved one due to the ills of white supremacy. We speak power the names of Delaina Ashley Yaun, Paul Andre Michels, Xiaojie Tan, Daoyou Feng, Hyun Jung Grant, Soon Chung Park, Yong Ae Yue, Suncha Kim, Christian Hall, and countless others who have been targeted simply for the color of their skin.

Let’s be clear. Since the start of the pandemic last year, hate speech and language toward the Asian community, condoned by the former President, fanned the flames of Anti-Asian sentiment that we see today. But let it also be known that this kind of violence is not new to America. It’s the basis of which this land was founded -- hatred against people of color and centering whiteness. 

We believe that Mariposa is an organization working toward dismantling all systems of oppression; and, we know that as we try to uphold that statement, there is still work that we must continue to do within our own organization. We will work closely to support those at the forefront who continue to march for justice.

As the leadership of Mariposa Food Co-op, we want to let the AAPI community know we are standing with you; we hear you, we see you, and we support you.

In Cooperation,

Mariposa Food Co-op Board & Department Managers 


Board Elections 2021!

The last several months have been challenging for everyone, including the Co-op. We had to pivot how we run our business, how we engage with our member-owners, and how we define a safe shopping space. 

Looking Ahead…

As we round the corner into 2021, we find ourselves in a very familiar place of holding Board elections, but this year we also celebrate our 50th birthday! Normally, there would be a lot of celebrations and fun events; but, while we look forward to bringing you different ways to mark this special occasion (more on that soon!), we can’t think of a better way to kick-off our 50th year than educating and engaging our member-owners in the Board elections process.

The Board of Delegates is a key aspect that sets Mariposa Food Co-op apart from conventional grocery stores. They are the governing body that represents member-owners' interests and holds Mariposa accountable to its values. Each delegate is democratically elected by YOU!

Last year, we put out an urgent call for new Board members to help keep the Co-op running smoothly and operating within its values, and you answered the call with a record-breaking 21 candidates!

This year, while the Board is in a better place, we know how important it is to have a dedicated group of member-owners in these leadership positions, especially when times are tough. 

Let Your Voice Be Heard!

Have you ever thought about getting more involved in Mariposa? Are you interested in how the Board interacts with member-owners and other stakeholders? Now is the time to learn more! All member-owners are welcome to drop by a virtual Board meeting, held on Monday, February 1st and Monday, March 1st from 6:30pm-9pm or a member-owner orientation.

What’s Involved In Being On The Board:

  • Attend one monthly meeting, held the first Monday of each month

  • Attend one full-day Board retreat, annually

  • Work on Board assignments 3-4 hours per month outside of meetings

  • Engage in consensus-based decision-making

  • Review monthly reports from management

  • Hold Mariposa accountable to its values as an important governing body

  • Receive a 10% working-owner discount for participating

Elections Timeline

January 12th - Candidate packets available
February 15th - Candidate statements due
February 17th - Candidate statements posted online and in-store
March 17th - Voting opens online
March 31st - Annual elections meeting, voting closes, winners announced!

Thank you for supporting the Co-op through 2020 and we look forward to what our 50th year has in store!

In cooperation,

Mariposa Food Co-op

STATEMENT FROM THE BOARD OF DELEGATES

As an organization, we understand and acknowledge the rage that is currently sweeping American cities including Philadelphia. For 400 years, white supremacy has informed, infiltrated, and impacted every institution that this country holds dear. The murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Aiyana Jones, Walter Scott, John Crawford, Oscar Grant, Michael Brown, Tony McDade, Eric Garner, and many other black people dying at the hands of police, is not only morally wrong, it is vehemently against the values of Mariposa Food Co-op. We demand justice for all these names and the countless others who have been forgotten or remain unknown, across this nation.

As the Board of Mariposa Food Co-op, we want to let our black member-owners, black staff members, black board members, and the black community with whom we share this neighborhood, we are standing with you, we hear you, we see you and we support you. Your lives matter, and have always mattered and will continue to matter.

To the white community, understand your privilege. For centuries, this world has been centered around you and your ability to prosper on the backs, labor, and sacrifices of people of color. As a food cooperative, we are constantly and continuously working toward dismantling all systems of oppression including tearing down all semblances of white supremacy. We challenge our white member-owners, our white staff members, our white board members, and those who are white who live in the neighborhood to do the same. We especially challenge white-owned businesses in the neighborhood to examine what more they could be doing to dismantle white supremacy and counteract the ills that it creates.

As support, Mariposa is donating water, milk, and other necessities to protestors, community members, and organizations that need it. As a Board, we are committed to donating a portion of our funds to the Philadelphia Community Bail Fund, an organization dedicated to ending cash bail in Philadelphia.

We remind our community that one of our stated goals is to ensure that “Mariposa is a community in which systems of oppression have been dismantled.” We are here for you as your community-owned grocery store, and we will uplift and support, as long as we need to. 

In Cooperation,

The Board of Delegates

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Planning Grocery Shopping Trips at the Co-op

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March, our way of life has changed drastically — including, shopping for groceries.

The Co-op has responded to this crisis by updating our store hours, reducing the number of shoppers, offering online ordering, and staff scheduling changes in order to keep our community safe and remain open as an essential business.

This new world leaves us with lines to get into places we could simply walk into without any issues. It’s certainly less than ideal, but we know that waiting ultimately protects one another and Mariposa staff.

That said, we want to leave you with a few tips and a map developed by grad students at Penn to help you plan for more efficient shopping trips at the Co-op! Check it out:

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Mariposa Food Co-op Map

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Meet Rebel Ventures!

Rebel Ventures, a student-led nonprofit healthy food business and Round-up for Change recipient, has produced a blog post to share with the Mariposa community about their experience with healthy eating during the COVID-19 outbreak. Read more from them in their own words!

Rebel Ventures entrepreneur preparing a dish in their commercial kitchen

Rebel Ventures entrepreneur preparing a dish in their commercial kitchen

For every round-up donation received in April, Rebel Ventures will donate the funds toward a healthy meal for Philly public school students.


Healthy Deliciousness at Home + Recipe

Written by: Dayanna S., junior at Carver Engineering & Science High School, Communications Specialist at Rebel Ventures; Shaniya B., senior at West Philadelphia High School, Kitchen Manager & Sales Team at Rebel Ventures; Tiguida K., sophomore at Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) High School, Social Media Manager & Grant writer at Rebel Ventures

 

Soups And Smoothies from Dayanna

As a teenager, the COVID-19 crisis is difficult for reasons that have not been talked about much. Before the announcement of school closures and a stay-at-home order, I was thinking about my junior prom - what I would wear, how I would get there and what my friends and I would do afterward. I was filled with excitement for a school trip to the Galapagos Islands that was scheduled for early next year. It’s been hard to accept that life as I was expecting it has changed drastically. 

Smoothie bowl prepared by Dannaya S.

The Healthy Deliciousness at Home project has really kept me exploring new ideas and styles of cooking. I have personally made a couple of recipes that I’m very proud of, including a tropical mix smoothie bowl that included mangoes, papaya, melon, pineapples, and strawberries. I topped it off with some trail mix and honey. It was a little strange to eat my smoothie instead of drinking it, but it was very good. Watch the video I made above!

Homemade tomato soup prepared by Dayanna S.

Homemade tomato soup prepared by Dayanna S.

In addition to my smoothie bowl, I also made a recipe inspired by my family and my love for soups. I made a Tomato soup recipe that makes around 8 to 10 servings and I blogged about here!

 

Healthy Chicken Breast Dinner from Shaniya

Baked chicken, rice and string beans prepared by Shaniya B.

Baked chicken, rice and string beans prepared by Shaniya B.

I am Shaniya, a youth entrepreneur at Rebel Ventures. My work includes managing our kitchen inventory and supporting our sales team. We are in a tough time, so my colleagues and I decided to jump over the obstacles and work virtually to still be successful as a business. We strive for healthy deliciousness and won’t let anything get in our way of that. Every week, we are finding ingredients in our home to make dishes with a healthy twist.

Recently, I made seasoned baked chicken breast, white rice, and string beans and paired this with a strawberry banana smoothie. I used olive oil because it is high in monounsaturated fat - which we learned is a healthy fat in a culinary medicine program we have at Rebel. I created that dish because I enjoy eating baked chicken, it was healthy and my family also likes it. The experience was fun and creative and I was able to show off my skills from home.

I miss my co-workers and working in a professional environment, but our bodies and health are important so working virtually from home is the best choice for us right now.

 

Documenting the Process from Tiguida

Tiguida K. at home during quarantine.

Tiguida K. at home during quarantine.

My name is Tiguida and I am a 10th-grade youth entrepreneur at Rebel Ventures. I manage our social media accounts, and support grant writing and accounting. The Rebel crew has been separated physically but we’ve continued our work in other ways.

With Healthy Deliciousness at Home, the crew has been tasked with making meals at home while also documenting it as an Instagram Story or blogging about it on our website. Recently, my mom and I made peanut butter sauce with boneless chicken and rice. I really enjoyed making this dish because I have been eating since this since I was a child and for the first time I got to make the recipe step-by-step and saw first hand what went into the process. Because of that, I’m grateful that Rebel helped me take the leap of faith in what might become a new hobby.

Check out our Instagram page @rebel_ventures and subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date with us. Also, we would love for you to document and share your Healthy Deliciousness at Home experience with us!

Below is an Apple Crisp recipe from the Rebel Ventures crew. This recipe is something fun and easy to do while at home quarantining. When finished you’ll have a healthy homemade dessert for the week. 

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Apple Crisp Filling

Apple Crisp Filling




Uplifting Our Staff

WAYS TO SUPPORT

As a grocery store, Mariposa Food Co-op is considered an essential business during this time. By coming to work, staff members are on the front lines, providing a healthy and efficient shopping experience for our community.

We’ve been asked how the community can support Mariposa staff members during this time, so here are some suggestions:

  • Treat the staff to lunch! Purchase a Visa gift card, a digital gift card to Grubhub or Caviar, one of our community partners or any other local restaurant. You’ll be helping us out in addition to patronizing local businesses during a tough time. Email ownership@mariposa.coop for more details! All amounts appreciated.

  • Donate cloth masks! Masks are a necessity for our staff to keep themselves and customers safe. If you are able to, we’re asking our community to donate cloth masks for our staff. We’ve supported local mask maskers but more are still needed. We ask that masks meet CDC standards. If you can donate, email marketing@mariposa.coop or call 215-729-2121 x1004.

  • Continue to say ‘THANK YOU!’ Our staff appreciate the kind words that have been shared both in-person and online; it makes the work worth it.

  • Be patient. We understand that waiting in a line to enter the store is less than ideal but it’s the best way for staff and shoppers to stay safe.

Again, many thanks to our community for your patience and support during this unprecedented time.

(Updated Wed., April 15 at 12:35pm)

COVID-19 Store Updates

BUSINESS HOURS

Mariposa is open normal business hours, 8am-10pm daily.

MASKS Recommended

With the Philadelphia mask mandate dropped, masks are no longer required, but they are recommended. We have extra masks available if you need, and you can ask any staff member for assistance. Thank you for your cooperation!


If you have any questions about past or present protocols, please reach out to ownership@mariposa.coop or 215-729-2121.

Mariposa's 2020 Board Elections

When we think about food co-ops, many things come to mind; supporting the local economy, creating community, or fresh, nutritious food. But one key aspect that sets us apart from conventional grocery stores is the Board of Delegates. Democratically elected by YOU, our member-owners, the Board of Delegates represents the interests of the membership and holds Mariposa accountable to its values. As we look ahead to the future of Mariposa, we need voices from new member-owners and those with long-standing, strong community ties.

2019 was hard…

To be frank, 2019 was a very difficult year for the Board. Several board members moved away, went to graduate school, or had to step down due to other life commitments. This has left our representative body with only four people to make critically important decisions for the Co-op. 

But, 2020 looks promising!

We are seeking 7 members-owners and 2 staff members for the 2020 Board elections so that we can focus on Mariposa’s future and what that means to our community. We had 500 people join the Co-op in 2019 for a total of 3,290 member-owners, so we’re excited about what this year’s elections will bring!

Let Your Voice be Heard!

Have you ever thought about getting more involved in Mariposa? Are you interested in how the Board interacts with member-owners and other stakeholders? Now is the time to learn more! All member-owners are welcome to drop by a Board meeting, held on Monday, February 3rd and Monday, March 2nd from 6:30pm-9pm at The Cedar Works (4919 Pentridge St). The Board also plans to coordinate in-store tabling dates before candidate statements are due on Monday, February 17th.

What’s involved in being on the Board:

  • Attend one monthly meeting, held the first Monday of each month

  • Attend one full-day Board retreat, annually

  • Work on Board assignments 2-3 hours per month outside of meetings

  • Engage in consensus-based decision-making

  • Review monthly reports from management

  • Hold Mariposa accountable to its values as an important governing body

  • Receive a 10% working-owner discount for participating

We look forward to Mariposa’s member-owners exercising their right AND responsibility to get more involved in the Co-op at a Board level. With meaningful Board engagement, Mariposa will be able to begin planning future projects, possible expansion, and more! 

Elections Timeline

January 13th - Candidate packets available
February 17th
- Candidate statements due
February 19th
- Candidate statements posted for member-owners
March 18th
- Voting opens online and in-store
April 2nd - Annual elections meeting, voting closes, winners announced.


Share your ideas

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We will also be hosting a member-owner forum on Tuesday, February 11th from 6pm-8pm at The Cedar Works (4919 Pentridge St.) to discuss strategic planning, community, and visioning for the future. Our General Manager will give a business presentation, make time for an open Q&A, and staff will help facilitate discussion.

If you are unable to make it to a Board Meeting or the forum, you can always reach out to Elise, our Owner Services Coordinator at ownership@mariposa.coop or 215-729-2121 x3

2019 Holiday Guide for Gifts Under $30!

Searching for the perfect gift for a friend or family member? We put together a guide to give you ideas for a range of budgets! Whether you are looking for a funny card or a thoughtful self-care basket, we have you covered.

Mariposa Gift Cards

Give the gift of a shopping trip at Mariposa! Put as much money on as you’d like for your recipient. Purchase online or in-store.

Under $5

Good Paper Cards - Say it with Fair-Trade flare! These cards are cute and punny! $4.99

Acure Foil Mask - Get your friends refreshed and rejuvenated for the new year. $3.99

Mariposa Reusable Bulk Bags - Shop in bulk for as much or as little as you need, plastic free! $1.99-$2.29

Fair-Trade Chocolate - Endangered Species Chocolate donates 10% of their annual net profits to organizations doing amazing work for conservation. 2/$4 through 12/17

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Under $10

Terra Natural Designs Leather Pouch - Carry knick knacks in these mindfully crafted pouches, made by Indigenous South American artisans. $9.95

Local Honey - There’s nothing sweeter than this local goodness. $8.99

Fair Trade Felt Ornaments - Hang these cuties on a tree or anywhere else in your home! Each ornament is handmade in Nepal by a group of Fair Trade artisans. $9.99

U-Konserve Reusable Straws - Never be stuck using a paper or plastic straw again! $5.99 - $7.99

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Under $20

U-Konserve Insulated Tumbler - ‘Tis the season for hot drinks! Use this tumbler again and again for your favorite libations. $14.99

Stove-Top Espresso Maker - Make sure you and your crew are buzzin’ into 2020. $18.99 (10oz)

Sunbeam Candles - Each candle is made with solar power, using the purest ingredients available at the least cost to Mother Earth. $19.99

Calendars and Planners - Look ahead with cute animals, seasonal gardening tips, and feminist icons! $14.99-$19.99

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Under $30

Hydroflask 18oz Bottle - Great for hydrating in style! $29.95

Shikai CBD Cream - Ease aches and pains with this non-greasy, moisturizing formula. $29.99

CoffeeSock Cold Brew Kit + Coffee Beans - It’s never too cold for cold brew, right? Perfect for the coffee enthusiast in your life! $20.99 for kit, coffee in bulk (priced by weight).

Lunar Revolution Necklaces - You can’t go wrong with these beautiful necklaces! Produced in Fair Trade workshops in Nepal. $21.00-26.00

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