PHILADELPHIA, April 12, 2023 – Congressman Dwight Evans (D-PA-3rd) hosted a news conference Tuesday with state and city officials about millions of dollars in grants being used to renovate a long-closed Germantown store into a new, full-service location of Weavers Way Co-op. About 250 people attended an open house that followed at the site, 328 W. Chelten Ave.
Evans said, “Food is medicine. And lack of access to healthy food has been a problem in many Philadelphia neighborhoods; and in rural and urban communities across the Commonwealth. That’s why I helped to create Pennsylvania’s Fresh Food Financing Initiative in 2004. The Obama-Biden administration used that as a model to create the National Healthy Food Financing Initiative. And now that I’m in Congress, I advocate for funding for that program. I’m pleased to say that both the state AND federal programs are helping to make this Germantown store a reality!
“And I was pleased to secure a separate, $1.5 million federal grant for this project through Community Project Funding in Congress. I believe this is a good example of what transparent, congressionally directed funding can do,” Evans said.
State Reps. Darisha Parker and Chris Rabb, D-Phila., secured a $1 million state grant through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.
“Weavers Way has provided food and nourishment to our community, which otherwise would be a food desert,” Parker said. “I am always happy to help support local organizations and businesses that literally nourish our community.”
Rabb said, “This funding for Weavers Way’s newest location in Germantown represents an important and critical use of taxpayer dollars in furtherance of community-centered enterprise and democratic community economics. By investing in socially responsible, worker-friendly enterprises that are owned by local consumers of high quality, often locally sourced products, what we’re really doing is bolstering community wealth and well-being.”
“We are pleased to announce $1 million in City investments for the new Weavers Way Co-op location in Germantown,” said Philadelphia Commerce Director Anne Nadol. “We look forward to the tremendous impact that Weavers Way Co-op will continue to have in Philadelphia as we help spur equitable economic development and revitalization efforts in neighborhoods across the city. The Department of Commerce will continue to serve as a resource to businesses, community-based organizations, and cooperatives alike. We are all very proud of the partnerships that keep us economically competitive now and into the future.”
“The collective effort of our elected officials, co-op members, and community organizations to bring healthy food access to Germantown is incredible, and we are truly grateful. Co-op members have invested over $2.2 million in member loans to make this project happen. These funds, in combination with the grants from all levels of government – City, State, and Federal – means this is a truly community-owned store,” said Kristin Haskins-Simms, Co-op Board Director and Germantown resident.
The store will be open to the public; as with Weavers Way’s other stores, co-op membership will not be required to shop.
Evans said, “I’m very pleased that this future store will bring 45 jobs to the neighborhood, with recruitment from the neighborhood. It will help to bring back to the neighborhood many of the $59 million in food dollars currently being spent outside the neighborhood each year. And it will help to revitalize the local business corridor. This project is a win-win, and I’m proud to support it!”
Evans represents the 3rd Congressional District, which includes Northwest and West Philadelphia and parts of North, South, Southwest, and Center City Philadelphia.
During Evans’ first six years in Congress, his office has helped to return to or save more than $25 million for Philadelphians from federal agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, and Department of Veterans Affairs. His website is evans.house.gov, and his social media handle is @RepDwightEvans on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
