Mariposa food co-op gets new, bigger digs

Mariposa, the West Philadelphia food co-op that focuses on food that's healthy, local and sustainable, has grown so much that it's moving to a bigger place.

By next summer, the co-op plans to be in the landmark Belmont Trust Company Building, former home of Beulah Tabernacle Church. Mariposa has bought the building, which is at 4824 Baltimore Avenue.

It will provide about five times as much shopping space. "The new store will allow us to reach every person looking for great food in a community setting," said Kara Ja'Nice Crews, convener of Mariposa's Board of Delegates, in a press release.

In the 1970s, Mariposa began as a buying club at 4726 Baltimore Avenue. Following the international cooperative principles, Mariposa is owned and controlled by its members, which now number more than 1,000.

"Mariposa has been a part of the fabric of West Philadelphia for decades," said Monica Allison, president of Cedar Park Neighbors, also in the press release. "We are thrilled to support them as they make their move to this new, gorgeous home."

The delegates expect that the larger quarters will allow non-members to shop at Mariposa as well.

For a look at all the local farms the co-op buys products from, check out their website at www.mariposa.coop