MAFCA Fall 2025 Conference
Saturday, October 11th, 2025
9AM – 3PM
The Waldorf School
600 Wayne Avenue
Philadelphia, PA, 19144
2025 Conference Materials
Presentation slides from the 2025 Fall Conference are available here
Photos of the 2025 Fall Conference are available here
Attendee Testimonial
“It was a great day of learning and connection with fellow co-op’s across
the region – representing six states and over 30 co-op’s. A highlight for me was hearing from General Managers about their
relationships with their boards, as well as joining a session for new
co-ops focused on financial health and membership engagement. Overall, it was an inspiring day and a meaningful reminder that our
challenges are not unique and that we’re part of a strong, supportive
community of co-op’s across the country.”
-by Kali Gibson, Board Secretary, Bethlehem Co-op Market
Lodging and Transportation
Please book your lodging as soon as possible.
City Ave is a nearby area with the most hotels, a suburban commercial thoroughfare a 10 minute drive from conference activities.
Check out cityave.org/stay
There are various Airbnb/HomeToGo listings in the Germantown neighborhood and surrounding area.
Note: Public transportation should be available to our activities, but please be sure to check the latest schedules for SEPTA (for buses and rail).
Locations
The Philadelphia Waldorf School, Great Hall
6000 Wayne Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Weavers Way Germantown
328 West Chelten Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Conference Activities
Bring your co-op swag for swapping—brochures, newsletters, bylaws, strategic plans, and more. Tables will be provided for displays and resource sharing.
The Great Hall will serve as the central hub for our conference. Throughout the day, we’ll gather here for the conference welcome and closing remarks, breakfast and lunch, exhibits, pop-up tastings, and informal conversations.
Breakout Sessions
We will have breakout sessions featuring board members from small or large co-ops. Board members face many of the same challenges: recruitment and succession, hiring and evaluating the general manager, approving budgets and business plans, and balancing the dual role of board member and owner.
Participants will engage in two facilitated breakout discussions designed to explore these universal issues, share solutions, and provide peer support. (More details to come.)
Presenters
Conference presenters and organizations include:
Chris Dilley, Director of Startup Support
Food Coo-op Initiative (FCI)
Wayne Hendrickson, Director of Sales
Four Seasons Produce
Frankie Pondolph, Marcus Michael
Equal Exchange
Dave Olson, Chief Membership Officer
National Co-op Grocers
Noemi Giszpenc, Executive Director
Keystone Development Center
Tyler Kulp, General Manager
East End Food Co-op
Mike Houston, General Manager
TPSS Co-op
Jeremy DeChario, General Manager
Syracuse Food Co-op
LeAnna Nieratko, General Manager
Erie Co-op
Hilary Baum
Weavers Way
Toni Stevens, Board Chair
Fredericksburg Food Co-op
Jon Roesser, General Manager
Weavers Way