West Philly residents Clare Hyre and Rania Campbell-Cobb want to build an organic rooftop farm on a warehouse in Southwest Philly. This would be a first in Philly and they need a little help.

The two accomplished farmers hope to use Cloud 9 Urban Rooftop Farm (Facebook link) to research urban farming best practices, educate folks on the benefits of rooftop farms and, of course, supply more fresh, locally grown food to West Philly. Read a lot more about the project here.

There are two ways you can help. Clare and Rania have started an online fundraising campaign to raise $5,000 to help cover the start-up costs. They are well over halfway there and need to raise the rest by month’s end. They also have some cool gifts for contributing. Go here to check it out.

Second, they are hosting a benefit BBQ tomorrow (Facebook link) at 4909 Warrington Ave. $7 gets you into the door and a plate of good food.

They hope to start building infrastructure this fall and start farming in the spring.

Pssst. Do you like Indian food? The no-nonsense, $5 kind served as a Bollywood film plays nearby. If so, read on.

Philly.com includes a profile today of the backroom bistro at Rice & Spice, the unassuming international grocery store at 4205 Chestnut St. Mosey past the stacked bags of rice and spices to the rear of the store and you will find one of those hidden West Philly gems (And, believe me, I understand that writing this helps “unhide” it. Blame philly.com.)

Writer James Osborne talked to a number of customers for his story, many of them students who craved familiar food.

“It’s close to how you get food at home,” said Sachin Sachdeva, 27. “That’s the selling point. That, and it’s relatively cheap.”

Read the full article here.

If you missed the summer’s first Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll or want to enjoy it again don’t miss the event tomorrow, July 7, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Last month’s Stroll was a huge success. It brought enormous crowds of neighbors and visitors who strolled to over 15 Baltimore Avenue locations for deals and treats of all varieties, each for only a buck. Participants included Green Line Cafe, Baltimore Pet Shoppe, Dahlak, Desi Village, Milk & Honey, the Gold Standard, and even the Curio Theatre.

Tomorrow’s Stroll will probably be as crowded as the previous one, so come early in order to avoid at least some of those lines.

Here’s a nice video from last month’s Stroll put together by the UCD:

It’s hard to imagine West Philly without its street vendors. Many of them have become so popular that people from all over the city come to try their food. Now one of them might get some award love in the form of the Vendy, a newly established in Philadelphia award which celebrates the best street vendors in the city.

The awards show will take place next Saturday, July 9, from 3 to 7 p.m. at The Piazza at Schmidt’s in Northern Liberties (1015 N. 2nd Street) and will feature the street food showcase and an intense cook-off between the chefs. One of the judges will be Mayor Michael Nutter (That guy is busy!).

West Philly will be well represented in the event with five out of the eight award nominees based on the left bank. Here they are:

 
For more information about all the nominees and to buy tickets go here.

 
A memorable scene unfolded on Baltimore Avenue yesterday as Mayor Michael Nutter and folks from the Mariposa Food Co-op stood arm-in-tattooed arm to celebrate the start of renovations to the co-op’s new home.

Mariposa is scheduled to open at the new space (4824 Baltimore Ave.) in the fall. Floor space will increase five-fold in the new building, which will also include classrooms and rooftop bee hives.

Nutter said the expanded Mariposa, which will include a range of dry goods, bulk items, meat, poultry and dairy products, will serve as a model for initiatives citywide to help improve healthy food options.

“This is the kind of neighborhood that can support this effort and show others across the city how to do this,” said Nutter, who joined Mariposa organizers and other city and development officials in cutting a ceremonial cake (vegan, of course).

The new and improved Mariposa will work like a traditional grocery store in that anyone can shop there regardless of whether they are a member. But the lifeblood of the co-op will still be its members, who receive a discount on items and also help determine how it runs. The co-op currently has 840 members and organizers hope to get 1,250 by the time the new store opens. Look for a major membership drive to begin later this summer.

To join, stop by the current co-op location at 4726 Baltimore Ave. or go here.

Here’s a slideshow from the event.

Community members are invited to attend a groundbreaking ceremony and reception to mark the start of renovation and construction of Mariposa Food Co-op‘s new location today at 3 p.m. at 4824 Baltimore Avenue.

The co-op has raised over $2.37 million and is ready to start the construction in the first week of July. If all goes well, the new store is scheduled to open in October.

Mayor Michael Nutter is expected to attend the event, along with representatives of the project’s major supporters, and other honored guests. Food and refreshments will be served.