Ever wonder how Weavers Way got its name? Our founders were paying homage to a collective of 28 weavers and other artisans in Rochdale, England, who, in 1844, got together to purchase food. The Rochdale Pioneers weren’t the first group to form a buying co-op, but they were the first to make their co-op succeed and endure. To avoid the mistakes made by earlier cooperative societies and to help others, they developed a list of operating principles governing their organization. This list formed the basis for what are now known as the International Co-op Principles
The Local Story
Philadelphia is a hotbed of cooperative activity!
PACA, the Philadelphia Area Cooperative Alliance, founded in 2012, is dedicated to supporting democratically organized businesses and growing the cooperative economy in multiple areas. Learn more about PACA at www.philadelphia.coop.
In addition to Weavers Way, other food coops operating in the Delaware Valley include:
- Mariposa Co-op (West Philadelphia)
- Creekside Co-op (Elkins Park)
- Swarthmore Co-op
There are several groups who are starting up with the goal of eventually opening full brick-and-mortar locations. Weavers Way is committed to helping them (Cooperative Principle 6: Cooperation among cooperatives).
- South Philly Food Co-op
- Kensington Community Food Co-op
- Ambler Food Co-op (NEWS FLASH! AFC became Weavers Way in 2017!)
Interested in forming a co-op?
Here are some great resources: The Food Co-op Initiative has a very comprehensive site, with tools to help you step-by-step through the entire process of becoming a co-op.
You'll also find the Cooperative Grocer Network's extremely comprehensive online guide for start-ups there.