Common Grounds Training Program

06/03/2026

Looking for your next breakfast or lunch spot?
From fresh-baked pastries to made-to-order sandwiches and refreshing drinks, there’s always something new to try at Common Grounds Café. Seasonal items rotate in, so there’s always a reason to come back 👀

📍 We’re located in the North Penn Commons
🛍 Order online or stop in and join us

Come see what’s on the menu, we’d love to serve you.

06/02/2026

At the heart of Common Grounds is more than just food, it’s mentorship, training, and real opportunity.

Each cohort builds lifelong skills in our café and through catering, gaining the experience and confidence needed to step into a new career in culinary.

Cohort 49 starts June 1. Call us today at 215.353.3727 to learn more.

05/29/2026

05/24/2026

05/23/2026

Meet Aida from Cohort 48 and hear a little about her journey while she makes the seasonal Green Tea Mint Refresher.

Interested in the Common Grounds Training Program?

Send us a message or give us a call at 215.353.3727, we’d love to connect ❤️

04/24/2026

Today only: Buy one get one 50% off ALL PASTRIES!! While supplies last, open 'til 1pm!

04/03/2026

Brittany works in the kitchen helping our chefs teach culinary skills to trainees. We love her patience, positive energy and constant smile! Welcome to Manna, Chef Britt!

02/26/2026

Restaurant Week is in full swing at Common Grounds! A big thank you to all of our friends who stopped in for lunch, including Manna's Executive Director, Suzan Neiger Gould, and Vice Chair of Manna's Board of Directors, Mike Lyon! This year Restaurant Week coincided with the midpoint of our training program, which means Café Manager Rachel swapped places yesterday with trainee Reyna as Manager on Duty, right down to the black chef jackets usually reserved for staff. Reyna got to use everything she learned over the past four weeks to run a tight shift. Today trainee Lause takes her turn as Manager on Duty! You can see her, Reyna, Rachel and the whole Common Grounds team for the rest of Restaurant Week today and tomorrow from 9am to 1pm!

02/04/2026

Welcome to Common Grounds Cohort 47! We are thrilled to have these four strong women here for nine weeks of culinary and café training, alongside Power Skills and ServSafe classes!

We're now recruiting for Cohort 48, which will begin on March 30! Call or text Sue at 215-353-3727 for more information or to register.

01/19/2026

01/14/2026

Come welcome the newest member of the Common Grounds team, Rachel! She joins the café with extensive foodservice and front-of-house experience. Check back often to see what new things Rachel brings to the café!

Welcome, Rachel!

01/12/2026

Enjoy a bowl of our delicious homemade soup at the Common Grounds Café, or get a quart of soup to enjoy at home, there's no wrong way to celebrate National Soup Month! Enjoy special pricing on all soups, including our brand new Chicken & Wild Rice!

01/09/2026

Looking to make a change in 2026? There are still spots available in the next cohort of our award-winning FREE foodservice training program! Call or text Sue at 215-353-3727 for more information or to apply TODAY!

12/14/2025

To all those who celebrate, Happy Hanukkah from Manna's Common Grounds Café!

12/01/2025

Applications are now open for the next cohort of the award-winning Common Grounds Training Program!

11/27/2025

11/25/2025

Nine years ago this month we welcomed the very first cohort of trainees to the brand new Common Grounds Training Program! Next month, Cohort 46 will graduate! It's been a wild run and we can't wait to see what the next nine years bring!

What can Common Grounds do for you? Call or text Sue to find out! 215-353-3727

11/17/2025

Support our program and make your Thanksgiving easier with our Thanksgiving Pop-Up, featuring homemade pies, quiche, soups and chili! Order in person at the café Monday through Friday, 9am to 1pm or email [email protected].

06/04/2025

Thank you, CK, we appreciate your support!

🎉 Join us in celebrating TEN years of impact with Manna on Main Street as a valued member of the Catalyst Kitchens network!

For the past decade, Manna has paired their mission to end hunger with a powerful commitment to workforce development through their Common Grounds program—a free, 8-week training that opens doors to sustainable careers in foodservice.

Participants gain hands-on experience in Manna’s kitchen, café, and catering operations while building essential life and employment skills. With ServSafe certification, career support, and wraparound services, graduates leave prepared to launch meaningful careers and achieve long-term stability. We're proud to honor this milestone and Manna’s unwavering dedication to nourishing both bodies and futures. 💙🍽️