If Congressman Dwight Evans has his way, food deserts will not exist much longer in his District

Earlier this month, Congressman Dwight Evans (D-PA-3rd) hosted a news conference with state and city officials about millions of dollars in grant funding being used to renovate a long-closed Germantown store into a new, full-service location of Weavers Way Co-op.

The news conference took place at 328 W. Chelten Avenue and was followed by a public open house. Approximately 150 people came out to see for themselves the vision for the newest Weavers Way Co-Op to open in Philadelphia. So what is the Weavers Way, Co-Op? During the summer and fall of 1972, a pre-order food-buying group operated out of the basement of Summit Church at the corner of Westview and Greene Streets. Jules Timerman, one of the original members of Weavers Way Co-Op, had a bigger plan. However, he was convinced Mt. Airy would support a full-fledged co-op.

When enough people had donated $10 apiece, Jules rented an old deli at 555 Carpenter Lane, stocked it with deli products and produce, and opened for business on Jan. 13, 1973. In 1974, the Co-op purchased and moved into the larger corner store at 559 Carpenter Lane. A year later, Jules resigned as store manager, but the first member rebate $4.99 per household was paid out. In 1990, an effort to organize members interested in buying organic produce presaged a new direction for the Co-op: an emphasis on healthy, sustainable food and fair food practices, not just price.

Through nearly four decades and multiple store configurations in the immediate area of Greene Street and Carpenter Lane in Mt. Airy, the subject of moving or expanding the Co-op was regularly discussed at membership meetings--but no major change of venue was approved. That finally changed in 2009 when the decision was made to expand to a second store. The old Caruso's Market in Chestnut Hill became available and was purchased that year. The Co-op raised nearly $700,000 in member loans in 2009 and 2010 to help fund the project, and Weavers Way Chestnut Hill opened its doors at 8424 Germantown Ave. on May 15, 2010.