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Mariposa Food Co-Op
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Cedar Park
4726 Baltimore Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 729-2121
4726 Baltimore Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 729-2121
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
12 reviews for Mariposa Food Co-Op
I've recently become attracted to the idea of more sustainable living, eating locally, and supporting small farms that treat their food politely and don't spray things with pesticides or torture their cows. If I eat cow, I want it to be happy cow meat. That being said, Mariposa is a great stepping-stone to being a more conscious consumer.
Their selection of food includes many options that are invaluable for those with food allergies/sensitivities, like gluten-free flours, pastas, and snack bars, as well as a large variety of non-dairy milks like hazelnut, almond, rice, soy, coconut, and hemp.
Although they don't stock meat (try the Clark Park farmer's market on Saturday for beef, pork, chicken, etc), they do have salmon burgers and many meat substitutes. If you crave vegan scrapple, the Vrapple will surely hit the spot.
Aside from the large selection of foods, both bulk and regular, drinks, and herbs and spices, they also stock things like vitamins, happy sun-emulating light bulbs, detergent, and their new section of discount books (mainly cookbooks and dietary books). If they don't have something in stock normally, you can put in a request or place a bulk order.
Payment options are credit cards, debit cards, EBT, and checks, and paying more in advance allows them to have more working capital and helps the co-op run more smoothly, though it is not required. As a member, you are allowed to carry up to a -$5 balance, and once you are a member in good standing for more than 6 months, you are allowed to carry a larger negative balance if necessary. They do not accept cash as a general rule to avoid theft. As of right now, they are working on raising the necessary funds to have a POS system (point-of-sale system aka cash register).
Their prices all factor in taxes, as well as their necessary mark-up. All of this information is readily available to all members. I think their prices generally compare to Whole Foods, but it feels so much less evil and elitist.
As a co-op member, you are required to put in 2-4 hours of work every 4 weeks, but since they're open 7 days a week, they're really flexible. Also, they offer exemptions to mothers of young children, those with health issues, and they will listen to you if you have other issues that may prevent you from being able to fulfill your work requirement. There are many options for getting hours in, from working on the farm, to cashiering, to set-up.
To summarize: good food, reasonable prices (not to mention cheaper than Fu Wah), and community involvement.
People thought this was:
- Useful (5)
- Cool (3)
It's too expensive for a lot of things (I still make the trek to Trader Joe's once a week) but it's really convenient to have across the street. Perfect for things like local tofu and rice and rolled oats and spices in bulk, and last minute things you remember when you're in the middle of cooking. My work shift isn't hard at all; I do three hours every 6 weeks and it's pretty fun - I like getting to talk with so many people. And if you have two people on an account only one of them has to do the work shifts and pay the dues which is awesome. It can feel a little intimidating in there, but as soon as you ask anyone a question they are nice. The staff is all really helpful. We had to wait 2 months before we could join, but they have affirmative action so if you're any kind of minority or on food stamps you can join right away.
If you're shopping for the first time you can do so without being a member but be warned they don't take cash!
So I finally became a member of Mariposa, after I got tired of buying things in large quantities that I would only use occasionally before they went bad (I'm talking to you, anise stars), and not being able to buy things in bulk when I wanted to (that's you, five pounds of rolled organic oats for homemade granola).
A lot of the shit talking in the Yelp reviews seem to come from people who have no idea what a Co-Op is. It's not a store. It's a co-operative buying group for people who are interested 1. in bulk purchasing power for things like grains and spices and 2. want to be sourced locally grown goods. The Co-Op does both of these things. Yes, you have to be a member. And yes, there are a limit to the number of people at any given time that can become members (it's a tiny place! And everyone needs to be coordinated. Which means hiring more staff, which they can't afford, since the actual staff is small and trying to earn a living wage).
So yeah, you might think it's elitist. Really, its just size limited. And maybe the volunteer you talked to just joined last week and doesn't have all the answers. Either does the checkout girl at Supreme. And I I've noticed that most of the people who think that people are antagonist to them because they don't have a certain "look" are just totally self-conscios folks who feel out of place about everywhere they go. Sorry. Can't do anything for you.
Yeah, I think it's too small. But they own the building, which brings security and stable prices (Tyler seems to have his head up his ass, or just like to make things up, if he thinks they are raising prices due to rising "gentrified" rent. The Co-Op doesn't pay rent). Again, pluses and minuses. If you're interested in getting involved, stop by, ask questions, and get informed.
People thought this was:
- Useful (11)
- Funny (6)
- Cool (8)
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
7/21/2008
I have to admit, right off, that I'm not member of Mariposa. They have a waiting list, and the only… Read more »
The Co-op is alright. Its convenient, has fresh produce most days, and is easily accessible as its on the 34. I do think it is way too small and they are a tad over-priced. I also think due to its mostly volunteer worker system things aren't going to be perfect. I am cool with that. There is a little bit of the (quoting Tyler's horrid posting here ) "its populated with graduates of expensive colleges posing as working class people" but thats West Philly. Worry about yourself, let the kids figure their own shit out.
Best time to shop: anytime between 9-5. After that its busy. Also, don't use it as your primary grocery store. Use it as a supplimental grocery store. It is too spendy and the choices are too limited.
People thought this was:
- Useful (5)
- Cool (4)
I've popped in here many times over the years with friends who belong, and it seems as great an idea now as back when it opened, in the first wave of Cedar Park revitalization in the 1970s. Neighborhoods everywhere should have something like this. What prevents me from joining? Surprisingly, it's not the volunteer requirement.
Some staff are very sweet and lovely to chat with, others seem to inhabit a grim half-state between petulance and indifference. This is the killer, because it used to be vary rare to run into those types at co-ops, but I suppose it's inevitable as organic food became popular with a larger group of people. Is it the end of the world? No. But it seems unnecessary to greet folks with an adolescent sneer.
I've also never understood the fetishization of 'the rules' of the place. By all means, draft policies, educate your volunteers, but given the frequently ramshackle condition of the place the last few times I was in, I wonder if they've over-emphasized their back office responsibilities at the expense of the front.
But go for it, try it once, join if you like it. They've got some good stuff, and some good people. But I've had other friends stop going because of being treated rudely, and that's simply got to be fixed.
I used to be a member of Mariposa. To start off, I'm not as committed to locally grown or organic food. I started off shopping there because I lived close and I like the idea of a co-op.
I became disappointed because it frequently ran out of what I see as necessities-milk and lettuce. The prices also run high, although they do not mark up their prices much over wholesale. It is also extremely tiny and gets crowded fast.
But if you are into the cause, this place is for you. Just beware of the limited options. You must also work a few hours a month.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Cool (3)
Mariposa is one of the many reasons I love my neighborhood. We shop everywhere: Trader Joe's, Fresh Grocer, Fu Wah, even Acme on occasion (which invariably results in one of us saying, "What do you mean they don't have tempeh?").
What makes Mariposa great is that they carry locally-grown, organic fruits and vegetables, plenty of tofu and tempeh, bulk dry goods, and an extensive selection of quality bittersweet and bitter chocolate. The prices are reasonable, and the best part is that it's ridiculously close to our apartment. It's like a convenience store that's almost as good as Fu Wah (come on, Tofu Hoagies beat out pretty much everything) with the convenience of a cashless system. Put on a credit and come back next week without a wallet.
What you won't find at Mariposa is meat and fish, so if you're an omnivore like us, it won't ever be your one-stop shop for the week. However, you can suggest things to be added to their stock, and if they get enough suggestions, they WILL add it.
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (2)
OK
So Mariposa is basically a one-stop-shop for me.
I buy just about everything except cereal and candy from here. Locally grown yadda yadda and organic blah blah blah. It's sorta like if Whole Foods was run out of someone's kitchen but for reasonable prices.
It really is a wonderful place.
BUT
I guess I don't look like everyone else who shops there, so I was treated like a leper. I usually just one time shop but I recently wanted to set up an account. When I asked the guy for an application, he sorta just stared at me for a while. He then tried to explain that I couldn't become a member because of some sort of back up (he made no sense to me) and that they would contact me when I could join. He spoke with such arrogance that I felt like slapping him.
I really do like this place but the people who work there need to stop being so judgmental. I hate that shit. Aren't they all about peace and love?
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (3)
Even if I didn't have dreamy idealistic attachment to the coop as a concept, a place where neighbors get together and organize a business to get good, fresh, local/organic/fair trade food, save money, and contribute work, I would shop here because it's the best place to get food in this particular corner of West Philly, and that is where I live.
Some things are a real savings (tea, spices, bulk nuts/grains), some are just a little cheaper than the grocery store. It's a little bit of a bummer that it is so small and so there are some things-- cheese, pasta-- that just don't have a very broad selection (though if you are really after something you can bulk-order it through the suppliers). But it's more than balanced by the special items that you wouldn't be able to find elsewhere (beautiful plump raisins that will turn you off sun-maid forever, teas you can't get anywhere else, local in-season produce). Two hours of work a MONTH? anyone can do that.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
OK, so this will take some explaining if you don't know what a co-op is...
You can only just walk in and shop there once. After that you have to become a member. Being a member entails several things: for one it means you pay $25 a year to be a member. For two, it means you have to work there once a month for two hours (the work is incredibly easy). For three, it means that you can shop there. And after you've been a member for a few months you get a key to the building so that you can shop there 24 hours a day if you like.
So why do we choose to do this? Well, most people who are members like the idea of a non-hierarchical structure. It's also very convenient to be able to go there whenever you want once you have a key to the place. I can't tell you how many times I've needed some ingredient at an inconvenient hour and been able to get it there! It's also to have a place to shop other than your local corporate food joint.
As you might have guessed the co-op has tons of vegetarian and organic foods (though that's not all they have). They also have lots of interesting spices, and stuff like that. Then there's the homemade cookies and brownies (members are allowed to sell food there too), and a HUGE selection of foods that you just won't find at Giant or Acme or whatever.
You might think of it as a smaller, non-corporate, better priced Whole Foods where you are a part owner (as every member sort of is!).
The only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I really do wish the place was bigger. If we ever expand, I'll up it to 5!!
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
How do i love mariposa? 1. I love it that it is a cash free system. You can budget for your groceries in advance then run a declining balance during the month. This way if you are a space cadet like me and forget your wallet, you can still buy (local, organic) milk and eggs. 2. I love the focus on locally and sustainably produced food. 3. If you are a member in good standing, you can get a key to the coop and shop after hours. 4. work shift is painless and working there is great...other members are way cute, fun, politically aware and interesting. All in all, great community and great food Viva mariposa!
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
I've never shopped here but I think it's a place someone might like and I'm creating a list for her.
People thought this was:
- Cool (2)
