By Ally Tobler

The Maryland Food Collective can be identified by its authentic chalk-covered walls, mishmash of couches and chairs, and abundance of vegan food options. It’s a cozy little area.

And when the Friends of the Co-op (FOTC) club met for the first time in several years, on Feb. 7, Sarah Eppley announced plans for filling the space with more.  

“Since we’re struggling financially…I want to bring students in who want to be involved [for free],” said Eppley, a senior anthropology major. “I think that a lot of our customers are losing sight of what we are as a business, community space and organization.”

In previous years, FOTC-led programs have been themed around artistic expression, performance, activism and environmentalism. Eppley hopes to increase student involvement this semester by hosting open mic nights, documentary screenings, screen printing sessions, poetry workshops and other similar events.

Sophomore bioengineering major Marie Hatch said she recently became involved with FOTC. At the meeting, she proposed that the Co-op host an art gallery for students to showcase their artwork.

Senior vocal performance major Briana Downs is involved in UMD’s multicultural activist club, Community Roots. She suggested the two groups collaborate to host their own version of “The Vagina Monologues,” a play based on a collection of interviews from women.

In its 43 years on campus, the Co-op has served a variety of functions. Food has occupied the bulk of its space in more recent years.

“Over time, workers have reduced the amount of groceries, and have created more of a community-focused space,” she said. “To me, it’s important to refocus that as one of the Co-op’s services to campus.”