Be part of something bigger at the Swarthmore CO-OP

Who are we?

The Swarthmore CO-OP is the third oldest food cooperative in the country, with a long history of serving as a community anchor and beloved neighborhood grocery store for both its members as well as non-member shoppers — “anyone can shop and anyone can join.” We place a strong emphasis on providing local and sustainably-grown/raised items and maintaining our important role as a full-service community grocery store. The CO-OP has approximately $6M in annual revenues and about 40 employees.

The Swarthmore CO-OP offers medical, dental, retirement, vacation and holiday benefits to eligible employees.

 The Swarthmore Co-op team values diversity, and is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, national heritage, age (over 40), religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.  We look forward to meeting you!


The Swarthmore Co-op is an award-winning specialty food market in Delaware County looking for creative new part-time and full-time Fresh Foods/Deli Team Members. Our Co-op team focuses on local, organic and sustainable foods, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles to our community. Our goal is to create a customer shopping experience that is second to none. We offer a friendly, progressive team environment with competitive pay, healthcare, dental, sick and vacation paid leave, and 401K with an employer match for eligible employees. Our team members have great learning opportunities, advancement possibilities, flexible schedules, and strong attention to safe operations. We are proud to support and employ college students who meet the qualifications listed below.

What is your role?

The Co-op is well known for its popular Deli. Our talented Deli Team develops and creates top quality, made-to-order Deli masterpieces for our Co-op shoppers, and helps customers with quality cuts of meat, seafood and poultry, as well as the signature dishes in our Prepared Foods case. You’ll ensure that every shopper is offered the best meat, poultry, and gourmet deli sandwiches that the Co-op can create, and is treated with respect, and care. You’ll be trained by experienced supervisors and managers, and you’ll provide our shoppers with information and recommendations about foods that meet their individual needs and tastes!

[Please note that there are not seasonal positions, and the Co-op is looking for part-timers and full-timers who are available to work throughout the year. College students are welcome. ]

What you’ll be doing–

• Become familiar with our award-winning Deli menu, and preparation of our signature dishes, and other related products. Create new menu ideas that excite our community marketplace.

• Become knowledgeable about weighing, pricing and packaging customer selections properly.

• Demonstrate reliability and professionalism in your work habits and appearance, and be a team player.

• Help maintain a clean, well-kept food preparation area in the store that is compliant with all food safety regulations, and follow any pandemic or other health emergency protocols required.

What You Offer in Skills and Qualifications —

  • An interest in high-quality food preparation and creative presentation for a demanding marketplace.
  • Availability to work 15-25 hours part-time, or 40 hours full-time during the week, including some evenings, and weekends.
  • Some restaurant or other retail food experience, and an ability to build strong rapport with customers in an upscale marketplace.
  • An ability to maintain a positive attitude with customers and teammates despite daily pressures.
  • Prefer applicants who are 21 or older; minimum age is 18.
  • Must be able to meet the physical requirements for the role, including standing for up to 4 hours, bending, turning, squatting, using kitchen equipment, and lifting up to 25 lbs.
  • Must have completed a high-school diploma or GED, and be computer literate.

Are you our new Deli Team Member?

The Swarthmore Co-op team values diversity, and is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity. We do not discriminate against any qualified candidate on the basis of race, gender, national heritage, age (over 40), religion, sexual orientation or gender identity, and we support the LGBTQ+ community. We look forward to meeting you!

Job Type: Full-time or Part-time

Are you interested?

The Swarthmore CO-OP is always looking for talented, experienced full-time team members. Submit an application by clicking the link below, if you are interested in full-time employment at the Swarthmore CO-OP.

Apply Today