Coming Together for the Co-op

The Maryland Food Collective, housed in the basement of the STAMP Student Union at the University of Maryland, is a worker-owner establishment that has been on campus since students picketed to bring it into existence in 1975. The restaurant is known for its inexpensive vegan and vegetarian options and quirky atmosphere and events and serves as a contrast to the other fast food chains in the student union.

Despite its popularity, the Co-op, as it is more commonly known, has a history of financial instability and has had to fight and negotiate to stay on campus. This year, the student union announced that they would be closing the Co-op at the end of the semester on May 31st. Worker-owners and student supporters began efforts to save the Co-op through awareness events and social media campaigns and ended the year with one final "Celebration of the Maryland Food Co-op." To many students, the Co-op is a place of employment, enjoyment, and rest– a second home.

This is potentially a last look at the Co-op and a snapshot of the people fighting to save it.

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The Shoppers

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Worker-owner Malik Antoine mans the counter during the lunchtime hour at the Maryland Food Collective on April 2, 2019 on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. The Co-op has several hand painted signs in their store proclaiming that all are welcome (Outhier/Jour370).

Senior dietetics major Ashley Kim opens the fridge to look for a drink at the Maryland Food Collective on April 2, 2019 on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. Besides their collection of made-to-order sandwiches, wraps and salads, the Co-op also sells a collection of chilled drinks and pre made meals (Outhier/Jour370).

Sophomore English and computer science major Drew Brown uses the common study space in the Maryland Food Collective to read during the lunchtime hour on April 2, 2019 on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. Books and magazines about veganism, socialism, and many other subjects line the shelves in the shop (Outhier/Jour370).

Worker-owner Malik Antione checks out a customer at the Maryland Food Collective on April 2, 2019 on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. The mural behind him depicts a clenched fist which can be found in other posters and murals in the store (Outhier/Jour370).

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The Workers

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Junior psychology major Catherine Oberfield wears a dinosaur hat as she cuts produce at the Maryland Food Collective on March 26, 2019 on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. All employees are required to wear a hat in the kitchen area (Outhier/Jour370).

Freshman psychology major Toby Woods wraps a sandwich for a customer at the Maryland Food Collective on Tuesday March 26, 2019 on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. The shop sells wraps and sandwiches throughout the day and offer a special menu with especially low-price items (Outhier/Jour370).

Sophomore English major Emily Gilman, left, and freshman psychology major Toby Woods make wraps at the Maryland Food Collective on March 26, 2019 on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. (Outhier/Jour370).

Worker-owner and University of Maryland alumni Peter Myers searches through files in the back office of the Maryland Food Collective on March 26, 2019 on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. Myers has worked at the Co-op for four years. (Outhier/Jour370).

Worker-owner Peter Myers stumbles upon a file of Co-Op flyers in the back office of the Maryland Food Collective on March 26, 2019 on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. (Outhier/Jour370).

Worker-owner Peter Myers and junior psychology major Catherine Oberfield look through old Co-op flyers in the back office of the Maryland Food Collective on March 26, 2019 on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. Most of the flyers were hand-drawn (Outhier/Jour370).

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Breaking Bread with the Solidarity Co-op

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Students circle up for the solidarity meeting on March 29, 2019 at the Maryland Food Collective on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. The solidarity team meets weekly and discusses ways to save the Co-op or what to do if it closes (Outhier/Jour370).

Senior economics and philosophy major Yusuf Mahmood eats dinner with friends before the solidarity meeting on March 29, 2019 at the Maryland Food Collective on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. The meetings include a time for dinner and to brainstorm fundraising ideas to alleviate the almost 50,000 dollars owed to the STAMP Student Union where the Co-op is housed (Outhier/Jour370).

Freshman ENSP major Alice Murphy fills her bowl at the solidarity meeting on March 29, 2019 at the Maryland Food Collective on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. The Co-op workers cooked a meal with a spicy peanut sauce for the members to share at the meeting (Outhier/Jour370).

Senior computer science and history major Mary Sorensen makes a warm drink before sitting down for the solidarity meeting on March 29, 2019 on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. The Co-op is known on campus for its affordable and allergy-friendly drink options and many workers can be seen drinking out of unique mugs on their breaks (Outhier/Jour370).

Worker-owner Peter Myers stays in the kitchen during the solidarity meeting to assist with closing tasks on March 29, 2019 at the Maryland Food Collective on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. The meeting was held after the Co-op had officially closed for the day (Outhier/Jour370).

Junior ENSP major Max Skoglund, left, and freshman psychology and family science major Mary Villes wash dishes while listening to the discussion held at the solidarity meeting on March 29, 2019 at the Maryland Food Collective on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. Both worked for the majority of the meeting (Outhier/Jour370).

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Brainstorming at the Solidarity Meeting

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A water bottle sporting a Co-op sticker sits at the solidarity meeting on March 29, 2019 at the Maryland Food Collective on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. The sticker displays the store’s slogan, “Food for people, not for profit,” which reflects their values as a worker-owner establishment (Outhier/Jour370).

Freshman ENSP major Alice Murphy, left, solidarity co-op coordinator Michael Brennan, middle, and freshman politics, philosophy and economics major Emily Fox listen to a solidarity team member’s ideas on March 29, 2019 at the Maryland Food Collective on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. Brennan ran the agenda for the meeting (Outhier/Jour370).

Freshman politics, philosophy and economics major Emily Fox runs the “stack” on March 29, 2019 at the Maryland Food Collective on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. This means she keeps track of who is allowed to speak and when to maintain order during a meeting where many are eager to express their thoughts (Outhier/Jour370).

Junior geology and English major Hadron Chaudhary raises a finger to speak during the solidarity meeting on March 29, 2019 at the Maryland Food Collective on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. Chaudhary serves as the opinion editor at The Diamondback at the University of Maryland and expressed her belief that the Co-op should write more opinion articles and letters to raise awareness about their financial situation (Outhier/Jour370).

Former worker-owner Keats Kirsch returns to the Maryland Food Collective for the solidarity meeting on March 29, 2019 on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. Kirsch suggested that the Co-op workers reach out to local legislators to advocate on their behalf (Outhier/Jour370).

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One Last Celebration for the Co-op

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Worker-owner Peter Myers pauses to relive a little bit of Co-op history during the Celebration of the Maryland Food Co-op held at the Co-op on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. on May 10, 2019. The event featured a historical exhibit, a panel of former and current worker-owners and live music (Outhier/Jour370).

Sophomore chemistry major Victor Baumann looks at an exhibition that showcases the history of the Co-op set up outside the Maryland Food Collective on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. on May 10, 2019. The exhibit included old photos, news articles and Co-op flyers (Outhier/Jour370).

Senior environmental science and policy major Miranda Mlilo adds her artwork to the historical display at the Celebration of the Maryland Food Co-op on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. on May 10, 2019. The poster featured the word "solidarity," an idea that was a driving force behind the efforts to save the Co-op (Outhier/Jour370).

Violinist Mary Shea Kustas plays with her band Goose Train during the Celebration for the Maryland Co-op at the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. on May 10, 2019. At several times throughout the show, Kustas declared, "We are Goose Train, and we love the Maryland Co-op" (Outhier/Jour370).

A sign at the Celebration of the Maryland Food Co-op reads, "Come in... welcome home" outside the Co-op on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. on May 10, 2019 (Outhier/Jour370).

Worker-owners are still working to convince the STAMP Student Union to let them stay before the projected closing date on May 31, 2019.