So many amazing co-op events in July!
The end of July is full of great co-op events in Philly, mostly surrounding the Eastern Conference for Workplace Democracy. Here are some highlights:
July 24: Nothing Like Chocolate screening at International House
Check out the Philadelphia premier of the documentary Nothing Like Chocolate on July 24, 8pm at International House, 3701 Chestnut Street.
The film is about a former West Philadelphia activist, Mott Green, that moved to Grenada more that 20 years ago with a dream to try to change the chocolate industry by starting the first “bean to bar” chocolate company in a cocoa growing country. Not only that but Grenada Chocolate Company bars are completely organic, made using solar power and they are a cooperative. Mott was tragically killed in an electrical accident at the factory on June 1, 2013.
Mariposa Food Co-op will be selling Grenada Chocolate bars at the screening, Karen Kirchhoff will be exhibiting photos from her trip to visit Mott & The Grenada Chocolate Company in January, there will be a local fair trade coffee roaster sampling their coffee and more. PACA Steering Committee member Peter Frank will be tabling at the screening. More info on the film here.
July 25: A History of African-American Food Co-ops
Dr. Jessica Gordon Nembhard is in town for the Eastern Conference for Workplace Democracy. Mariposa Food Coop’s Food Justice & Anti-Racism Working Group the LCA Land Trust are sponsoring her to do a give a talk and Q&A about the history of African Americans and the US cooperative movement. All are welcome. Free! More info here.
July 26: Advancing the Development of Worker Cooperatives pre-conference
This year’s full-day pre-conference will focus on successful inter-cooperative approaches to self-financing and financing within the co-op movement. More info here (scroll down). The organizers especially encourage participants who are worker-owners and those engaged in worker co-op financing and development.
July 26: Philly Co-op Showcase at the Rotunda
This party and showcase of Philly co-ops is happening on the opening night of the Eastern Conference for Workplace Democracy, but it is free and open to the public. It starts at 7:30pm.
July 26-28: Eastern Conference for Workplace Democracy at Drexel University
You’ve probably heard by now that this awesome conference only happens every other year and is coming to Philly this year. The workshops look fabulous. Check out the list of workshops here.
July 31: Co-ops and Social Justice Book Club Meeting at Mariposa Food Co-op
Want to know more about co-ops? Mariposa is joining food co-ops across the country in a collaborative study project about the intersection of food cooperatives and social justice organizing and education. The book club will start with the new book Food Co-ops in America by Anne Meis Knupfer, use a listserv to share thoughts and questions, meet in person at Mariposa on Wednesday July 31, and meet virtually as a national group for the first time via a webinar-style discussion during the first week of August. All are welcome! More info here.