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Welcome to Swarthmore's Food Blog

Several members of the community involved in the slow food movement, local foods, nutrition and cooking will be posting on this blog on a regular basis. We look forward to your comments and replies.

From the GM’s Corner

After the rains and cold of last week, this past weekend has been glorious. The sun is shining, flowers are popping up all over, Spring has arrived in full bloom. With the warmer weather comes grilling and plentiful fresh local fruits and vegetables. Here at your Co-op, we have been expanding our network of local growers and producers.

Beginning in May, we will profile farmers who are providing us with their produce. You will find this information on our website under featured products.

One organization we are excited to work with is the Common Market. This is a fairly recent venture developed by Bob Pearson (Farm to City), Ann Karlen (Fair Food) and our own Jack Cavanaugh. Common Market works with a group of local producers to bring their goods to restaurants, food cooperatives, and schools. They are performing a great service to local farmers, and we are very pleased to be a part of this system.

In addition, we will be featuring locally made ice cream by Chilly Philly, new gluten free snacks by a wonderful young couple, Jaynal & Kyle from The Greenwood Kitchen. You may have had an opportunity to sample their snacks during Fun Fair. They are delicious. Also, featured is Fair Trade Equal Exchange Coffee’s. Look for these featured products, we will be offering them at significantly reduced prices.

The Co-op has been running weekly ads featuring produce, fresh meats & poultry, and fresh seafood at great prices. For example, filet mignon steaks are $12.99 lb, and you can purchase a whole 5-7 lb. filet for $9.99 lb. Fresh Tilapia is $5.95 lb. and Bee Gee 21-25 count Shrimp are $9.95 lb. Bee Gee, if you don’t already know is one of the very best quality shrimp available in the marketplace, and at this price its a steal. I only mention this because, I have a feeling many of our members and patrons are not aware of these offerings, even though the ads are posted throughout the store.

While you are in the Co-op, you should take a moment to check out our seafood offerings. Our primary supplier is a world class fishmonger. Samuels serves many of the restaurants known for the quality of their seafood up and down the East Coast. And, you should know we can most times order any fish you may want with just one day’s notice.

Recently arrived to the Co-op are some very enthusiastic cooperators. You can find more about each of them when you go to staff profiles on www.swarthmore.coop When you are in the Co-op look for Jason, Shawn, Dan, and Corrie and say hello and welcome them into our Co-op family.

Here is a preview of interesting events on the horizon. A slow food dinner here at the Co-op for members and their guests. Details and date made available shortly. Also, for members and their guests we are planning a couple of farm trips. Meet the people who are raising the foods we sell at the Co-op and where and how they go about their work. More details to follow soon.

LASTLY, I WANT TO QUELL A RUMOR ONE OF OUR MEMBERS RELATED TO ME LAST SATURDAY. THE RUMOR IS THE CO-OP IS DISCONTINUING OUR COMMITTMENT TO HOME DELIVERY. NOT TRUE!! THE CO-OP IS COMMITTED TO SERVING OUR HOME DELIVERY CUSTOMERS. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF OUR OVERALL MISSION TO THE COMMUNITY, AND ONE THAT WILL REMAIN INTACT UNDER MY LEADERSHIP AS GENERAL MANAGER OF THE CO-OP.

Gerry Greway

General Manager