Community Gathers to Discuss Grocery Co-op

Approximately 150 Ambler residents turned out to the Ambler branch of the on Wednesday night to learn more about a food and grocery co-op and how to start one in Ambler.

David Woo, Board President of Weaver’s Way Grocery Co-op in Mt. Airy, explained the history and benefits of beginning a community owned co-op.

Woo said Weaver’s Way does not have the capital to open a third store in Ambler at the current time, but will make information available to an organization in Ambler.

He added that this is not something that can happen over night, and can take anywhere from a year or, closer to four years. He cited two co-ops that have recently opened, the Kensington Community Cooperative, which took three years from first meeting to opening their doors, and the South Philly Community Cooperative, which took four years.

“It’s not going to be an easy task,” he said.

From the first meeting to opening the doors, Woo explained there are many steps, which include organizing a steering committee; visit, research, and talk to other start-ups and co-ops; recruit and raise funds; get neighbors to buy in; and secure financing.

He added there are multiple kinds of co-ops, the extremes are co-op grocers that only allow members to shop, and co-op grocers that allow everyone to shop but members get deeper discounts.

Woo said at Weaver’s Way, in the summer produce is locally sourced. Much of their dairy is locally sourced from Merrymead Farm and Organic Naturally, which is also a co-op.

However, he said not everything is local to help keep prices low for members.

He said while the larger store may have more variety, co-op grocers have a gathering of community, with locally sourced produce, meat and dairy.

Estelle Dolan, a resident of Ambler and one of the women who organized Wednesday’s meeting, said they are looking for volunteers and people to be in leadership positions.

Community meetings about the future of an Ambler grocery co-op are for every six months.

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