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

The Swarthmore Co-op is an award-winning specialty food market in Delaware County looking for a new Prepared Foods Creator and Coordinator.  Our Co-op team focuses on local, organic and sustainable foods, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles to our community. We offer a friendly, progressive team environment with competitive pay, healthcare, dental, sick and vacation paid leave, paid holidays, 401K with an employer match for eligible employees, and the potential for an annual profit sharing bonus (based on yearly financial results and the decision of our Board of Directors). Our teams have great learning and advancement opportunities, flexible schedules, and strong attention to safe operations.

 About the Prepared Foods Creator and Coordinator Role:

This is not the typical quick-serve restaurant or chain grocery store environment! Ready to step-up? Keep reading…

The Prepared Foods Creator and Coordinator is supervised by, and works closely with, our Fresh Foods Manager and Chef to create and present creative, high-quality fresh Co-op dishes for the Prepared Foods case, and take-home meals section. This is a role in which you’ll make decisions about menu items, seasonal specialties, and the method of preparation. We have an upscale, demanding marketplace, and a growing demand for these popular foods.

[Please note that this is a full-time, experienced hourly level position with some early evening and weekend work required.]

Your key responsibilities in the job:

  • Oversee day-to-day high-quality kitchen production of small-batch menu dishes
  • Identify needed ingredients and help coordinate food orders while monitoring food costs
  • Select, and maintain freshness, of high-quality ingredients to reflect the Co-op brand
  • Assist in the development of both seasonal and year-round menu items
  • Help ensure visual appeal of prepared foods in the Deli case, and of grab’n-go packaged meals created in-house
  • Standardize and document menu recipes as needed
  • Assist in promoting Co-op signature dishes to our marketplace
  • Conduct monthly inventory and maintain shrink logs per Co-op policy
  • Maintain best practices for food safety and storage in Prepared Foods Department

Dishes planned and prepared by individuals in this role should reflect well on the Co-op brand.

Your skills and experience:

  • At least 3-5 years of culinary experience (prefer some formal culinary training)
  • Excellent knowledge of food safety (Serv-Safe Manager certification preferred)
  • Knowledge of current food trends
  • Knowledge of key regional/international spice and seasoning pallets
  • Demonstrated knife handling skills
  • Knowledge of proper preparation and integration of produce, meat, seafood, dairy, etc.
  • Ability to effectively supervise and collaborate with other team members as needed
  • Ability to contribute to efficient menu planning, and identification of appropriate recipes or preparation approaches
  • Ability to stand, bend, reach and turn for continuous periods of up to 3-4 hours, in addition to

lifting of up to 25 lbs, and use of common kitchen appliances

  • Knowledge of basic office software including email, Word, and preferably Excel spreadsheets
  • At least 21 years of age, with good knowledge of written and spoken English.

[The Swarthmore Co-op does not discriminate based on gender, race, religious affiliation, gender orientation or identity, or national heritage. Our teams reflect a diversity of background and thought.]

Are you our next Prepared Foods Creator and Coordinator?  Please apply with a resume and cover letter.  We look forward to meeting you!

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