The Community Grocer: Advancing 'Food Justice' and Nutrition in Philadelphia
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With food and nutritional insecurity plaguing cities nationwide, a Philadelphia nonprofit is cooking up an innovative model—supported by Ballard Spahr.
The firm is providing pro bono legal representation to help The Community Grocer (TCG) “redefine the corner store” with its special ingredient: a model that overcomes historical restrictions on using federal nutrition assistance to buy prepared meals.
Community-based TCG is working to change how Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients access healthy meals. Ballard Spahr's commitment to TCG and its mission aligns with the firm’s focus on hunger and sustainable food initiatives. The ongoing pro bono efforts, totaling nearly 375 hours over two years so far, have played an essential role in TCG's progress.
TCG's founders, Eli Moraru and Alexandre Imbot, have been working to counter food insecurity in Philadelphia since 2020. They started by distributing food boxes during the pandemic and soon after began planning for the facility now under construction at 60th and Walton Streets in West Philadelphia. The facility is designed to provide healthy, hot, SNAP-eligible, culturally relevant meals to the community.
“Ballard Spahr’s advice and support has been amazing,” said Eli. “We were able to purchase our property because of their help. Without their pro bono support none of this would have been possible.”
The Community Grocer will serve an all-day menu of meal kits, fresh ingredients, and staple grocery items—all available through SNAP. For those who prefer not to or are unable to cook, TCG will partner with the Resident Action Committee II community kitchen in the rear of the building, an independent organization and operation. Customers can trade their unopened meal kit for a hot, prepared version at no additional cost. The model addresses the long-standing SNAP "no-hot-food" rule, which has historically limited recipients' access to prepared meals.
Schematic courtesy of The Community Grocer
TCG is aiming for a soft opening by the end of the year, with a full launch planned for late spring 2025. Ballard Spahr has provided legal assistance with incorporation documents, tax-related matters, and advised on property leases and purchases to help TCG to secure its future home.
The team advising TCG includes Tina R. Makoulian, Christopher A. Jones, Gregory L. Seltzer, Christopher T. Cognato, Jessica DuBois, Nathan Farris, Harry A. Levin, Jessica Laderman Origlio, Paige Presley, Jared A. Sheinberg, Meredith St. Clair Trego, and William Xiong.
“It’s been a real partnership between Ballard and The Community Grocer,” said Tina, a Real Estate partner. “A real labor of love. Eli and Alex have so much energy, enthusiasm, and willingness to work hard—especially to do the nitty gritty. It’s impressive and contagious! We look forward to helping TCG moving forward.”
TCG’s community partners also include the Community First Fund, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit partner of M&T Bank, the University of Pennsylvania, FMC Corp., and Stokes Architecture and Design.
To learn more about The Community Grocer’s mission, how to support or get involved, click here.
Ballard Spahr attorneys contribute more than 50,000 hours annually to pro bono service, partnering with agencies nationwide to provide free legal services to meet the most pressing needs of our communities. Consistently ranking among the top 50 law firms in the annual Am Law Pro Bono Report, the firm has earned numerous awards and honors for outstanding commitment to pro bono work.