Bethlehem Co-op Market

As we pause for #Thanksgiving, we're grateful for the incredible community that makes Bethlehem Co-op Market #MoreThanAGroceryStore. Without the support of our member-owners, board of directors, volunteers, staff, and friends in the community, we would not be where we are today! From our table to yours, Happy Thanksgiving! #BCM #BethlehemCoopMarket #CommunityOwned #FoodCooperative #BethlehemPA

We were honored to host Moravian University's first-year writing seminar focused on food and environmental sustainability at Bethlehem Co-op Market for a tour. These bright minds are diving deep into crucial topics like #FoodJustice, #Sustainable farming, and #EnvironmentalStewardship. During their visit, we shared how our co-op model supports local farmers, reduces food waste, and creates an accessible, sustainable food system for our community. The engaging discussions with these future change-makers reinforced why we do what we do. Thank you to these Moravian University students for allowing us to be your classroom for the day! ?? #MoreThanAGroceryStore #BethlehemCoopMarket #CommunityOwned #LocalFood #HigherEducation #Sustainability #FoodCoop #BethlehemPA

On Veterans Day, we recognize our military veterans' profound contributions to our nation and our local community. #DidYouKnow This day, first observed as Armistice Day in 1919, now stands as a testament to all American veterans who have served our country, with the name officially changed in 1954. To the veterans in our Bethlehem community and beyond: thank you for your service. #VeteransDay #BCM #MoreThanAGroceryStore #CommunityOwned?

The #BCM team was thrilled to attend the Dream Boyd Theatre Apartments ribbon cutting earlier this week. Located blocks from our future grocery store, this celebration reinforced what makes our downtown community special – the people and businesses working together to create a more vibrant, connected city. We're building more than a grocery store; we're joining a community of passionate people dedicated to making #BethlehemPA an even better place to live, work, and thrive. We look forward to bringing fresh, local food to the Boyd residents and strengthening our?community connections in 2025! #CommunityGrowth #LocalBusiness #CooperativeBusiness #SupportLocal #CommunityFirst

While our store opening is postponed to 2025, our commitment to serving our community remains stronger than ever. Here's why this decision ensures a brighter future for #BCM: 1?? Quality Over Speed: We're prioritizing a store that truly meets the needs of ALL our community members. 2?? Financial Stability: This timeline allows us to optimize our resources and launch with a solid foundation. 3?? Enhanced Planning: Extra time means we can fine-tune our offerings and create an even better shopping experience. As member-owners and future shoppers ourselves, we share your excitement for #BCM's grand opening. Your continued support fuels our determination to open a grocery store that will serve our entire community. We're building #MoreThanAGroceryStore. Looking forward to shopping with you in 2025! ???? #BethlehemCoopMarket #CommunityOwned #BethlehemPA #FoodCoop #ProjectUpdates

Our journey to open a #CommunityOwned grocery store is taking a new turn - our grand opening will be in 2025. While we've worked tirelessly to open our doors in 2024, we are facing funding challenges that require us to adjust our timeline. Bethlehem Co-op Market was fortunate to receive a $2.9 million grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), however, this grant is structured as a reimbursement. Similarly to any startup business, this has resulted in cash flow challenges. We are actively working to find a solution to bridge the gap as construction progresses at the co-op site. This timeline adjustment allows us to build a stronger and more sustainable foundation for our community-owned grocery store, ensuring long-term success and the ability to best serve our community. We appreciate the support of our member-owners, partners, and greater #LehighValley community. It is each of you that keeps us going and growing! ?? Read the full project status update here: https://bit.ly/4gSa0XU #BCM #MoreThanAGroceryStore #BethlehemCoopMarket #FoodCoop #CommunityOwned #ProjectUpdate #ComingSoon #GrandOpening2025

At #BCM, we believe a thriving community offers opportunities for all. In partnership with our general contractor, Boyle Construction, we're proud to report on our commitment to inclusive employment, focusing on Section 3 residents. These folks are public housing residents and/or low and very low income who live in the metropolitan area or non-metro county where a HUD assisted project (like ours) is located. Here's a glimpse of the impact we've made so far: ?? 14% of project hours completed by low-income workers ?? 3% of hours by very low income workers ?? General Labor rate set at $17/hour These numbers represent real people gaining valuable experience and contributing to a project that will serve our entire community. Interested in Section 3 positions? Contact Boyle Construction for opportunities! #MoreThanAGroceryStore #BethlehemCoopMarket #CommunityDevelopment #InclusiveEmployment #SocialImpact #BCM

We're thrilled to share that WFMZ-TV recently featured us in an online article, highlighting the significant strides we're making towards opening a full-service, community-owned grocery store in downtown #BethlehemPA. ?? Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/3BbmhpP #BCM #MoreThanAGroceryStore #BethlehemCoopMarket #ProjectUpdates #LehighValleyPA #FoodCooperative #CommunityOwned

Thanks to our partnership with Working Dog Press, we're recycling every old (and well-loved) yard sign our member-owners bring us. ?? We're grateful for Working Dog Press, the incredible work they've done for us over the years, and the opportunity to minimize our environmental impact - one sign at a time! #BCM #MoreThanAGroceryStore #BethlehemCoopMarket #SustainableBusiness #BethlehemPA

In light of the proposed merger of large grocery store chains, it's crucial to highlight the vital role of #CommunityOwned grocery stores in our local economies. At Bethlehem Co-op Market, we're pioneering a different approach to food retail - one that prioritizes community needs over corporate profits. Here's why it matters: ?? Economic Impact: We keep profits local, reinvesting in our community and supporting regional producers. ?? Fair Practices: Our model ensures fair prices for consumers and equitable relationships with suppliers. ?? Sustainability: We prioritize environmentally friendly practices and locally sourced products. ?? Community Empowerment: As a co-op, we're democratically controlled by our member-owners, ensuring our store truly serves local needs. ?? Food Security: By supporting local food systems, we contribute to a more resilient and secure food supply chain. Bethlehem Coop Market is #MoreThanAGroceryStore - it's a testament to the power of community collaboration. We invite you to learn more about how cooperative business models can strengthen local economies and foster thriving communities. Interested in getting involved or learning more? Visit our website: https://bit.ly/3AQ45C6 ?? #BCM #CommunityOwned #FoodCooperative #LocalEconomy #SustainableBusiness #BethlehemPA