Hard to believe it’s been seven weeks since the Co-op reopened our doors to in-store shopping, and I want to thank each and every one of you for doing your part to make it safe and successful. Customers adhering to our safety guidelines has allowed us to provide a safe and ethical shopping experience for everyone.
We are thrilled to announce that starting Saturday, August 1st, we are expanding our in-store hours to 9am-9pm every day.
In addition to increased hours, you’ll see an expanded produce selection with many local items coming back into stock this week including tomatoes, stone fruit, and more. Your favorite local premade meals are also available in our refrigerated section. If you’re looking for an old favorite you don’t see, please drop us a line.
Of course, you can always continue to place orders through our online store, or utilize the Co-op To Go-op preselected bags at our big white tent for a completely contactless shopping experience. We have filled over 13,000 online orders since our site launched on March 28th, and turnaround time is typically under 48 hours.
I remain so proud of both our staff and the community around this store for stepping up in a time of increased need. Small Things Matter has continued weekly food distributions utilizing space outside the Co-op. Crossroads Community Food Network is a valued partner of the Co-op whose Fresh Checks program is available weekly at their Wednesday Farmers Market but also everyday at the Co-op to double SNAP and pandemic-EBT dollars on all fresh produce purchases.
Next Friday, August 7th, is the 40th anniversary of the signing of our Articles of Incorporation–a dry legal act, months before a store would open. But the very first line of the purpose clause of this document is reaching out through the decades and directly into our current moment: “By establishing the Cooperative, we hope to offer an alternative food distribution center that’s responsive to human and community needs.”
This store exists for the needs of everyone in this community and will continue to serve that calling. Thank you all for your support during the past five months, and here’s to the start of another 40 years of the Takoma Park Silver Spring Food Co-op.