Join our Co-op!

Joining The Food Co-op means becoming part of a community committed to healthy living, sustainability, and shared support. As a member, you gain access to a diverse range of fresh, locally-sourced, and organic products while having a say in decisions that influence our store and its influence within the community. Members enjoy exclusive discounts, can engage in informative workshops, and connect with others who value holistic living. Together, we can foster a stronger, more resilient community where all members feel embraced and appreciated.

What is Ownership?

Ownership of a co-op means that as a member, you are also an owner of the cooperative. This unique structure allows you to have a direct stake in the success and direction of the co-op. As an owner, you have the right to vote on important decisions, participate in annual meetings, and run for the board of directors. Your membership fee is an investment in the co-op's future, helping to fund its operations and community programs. Being an owner fosters a sense of responsibility and pride, as you contribute to creating a sustainable, community-focused grocery store that prioritizes the needs and values of its members

How do I become a member/Owner?

To set up your membership account you must come in to the store and stop by the Customer Service Desk.
A paid-in-full member-owner pays into the Co-op with a refundable Capital Investment (CI) of $100, plus a $5 join fee with one of these three options:

  1. Pay a non-refundable $5 join fee and only $2 each month that you shop until you reach $100.

  2. Pay in full at sign-up and receive a free Co-op cloth bag,

  3. Pay ahead for two or more months at any time.

  • Owner Benefits

    • Participate in Co-op governance - ONE MEMBER ONE VOTE.

    • Special ordering through our UNFI Buying Club and direct ordering from other vendors at a lower cost.

    • Free online cooking classes and reduced price on all class offerings.

    • Products you can trust based on our acceptable and not acceptable ingredients list. See Watching Our Pea’s & Q’s.

    • The money you pay into your Capital Investment account (your Co-op membership buy-in) is always your money. Should you ever want to withdraw your ownership, you can ask for your CI back. You can check your CI account anytime - just ask at Customer Service.  In the event of dissolution of the co-op, if there is not enough money to refund everybody’s CI it will be distributed on a pro-rated basis.

    • Weekly informative email newsletter. Sign up on our home page.

    • Patronage Dividends - Member-owners who are eligible to vote receive member patronage dividends in the years dividends are distributed.

  • Social Benefits

    • Our local economy in local hands - We run our store and our money stays here.

    • A more robust democracy - Co-ops are open, democratic organizations.

    • A vigorous local food shed - The Co-op works with local farmers and producers as well as community organizations working on food issues.

    • A generative economy - We promote small, local, regional, and cooperative producers.

    • A more resilient community - Through Co+op Basics and other programs, the Co-op makes good food available to all members of our community.

    • A more sustainable economy - The Co-op supports sustainable practices, in the store and through our farms and producers.

    • Transparency - Attend board meetings on the first Tuesday of each month and the annual meeting in June, read the annual report, ask questions, and even run for the Board of Directors.

    • Camaraderie - Get to know your fellow members-owners, both staff and shoppers.

  • Responsibilities

    • Shop at the co-op regularly to support its operations and growth. Encourage friends and family to join and shop as well.

    • Be friendly and you’ll make new friends. Be sure to treat everyone respectfully and civilly.

    • Treat disagreements as a chance to see things from someone else’s point of view and an opportunity to learn.

    • Engage in co-op activities, attend meetings, and vote on important issues. Your voice helps shape the direction of the co-op.

    • Keep up with co-op news, updates, and developments. This ensures you’re well-informed about what’s happening in your co-op community.

    • If possible, volunteer your time or skills to support co-op events, committees, or projects. Your involvement strengthens the community.

    • Share the co-op’s mission and values with others. Help spread the word about the benefits of co-op membership and the positive impact it has on the community.

    • Adhere to the co-op’s policies and guidelines, fostering a respectful and inclusive environment for all members.

Patronage Dividends

One perk of being a Food Co-op member is the patronage dividend. Called ‘cooperative dividends’ by the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers back in 1844, patronage dividends are based on the Third Cooperative Principle:  Member Economic Participation.

Food Co-op member-owners voted in 2014 on bylaws enabling us to adopt patronage dividends. Through these dividends the Food Co-op can both save money and return surplus funds to our member-owners.

How does it work?

Each year the Co-op makes a net profit, we can declare a dividend and return it to the members. Each member’s dividend will be based on how much they’ve spent. A portion of the dividend will be kept to re-invest back into the business- either as a financial cushion for lean years or to help finance a facility project, such as a remodel or expansion.

Here are the steps:

  • All Year: Staff tracks operational profitability and reports to the board.

  • March: A CPA reviews and adjusts our financial statement.

  • April: Staff recommends whether or not to declare a dividend based on financial results. Board votes and makes a decision.

  • May: If board declares a dividend, staff notify members via email or post.

  • May/June: In years when dividends are declared, an announcement will be made at the Annual General Meeting. The Food Co-op distributes dividends at the register. Members can put their dividend toward their purchases, request a check for the full amount or donate the dividend to our GROW FUND. *The Grow Fund, in cooperation with Twin Pines Community Fund, is a fund that we will use to grant a local non-profit, chosen yearly by committee, that matches our four pillars of community sharing. For more information and how to apply please visit our GROW FUND page in mid summer.

 FAQs

  • In a patronage dividend system, when a co-op makes a profit, its members receive part of those profits as a dividend or “refund.” Each year the board of directors of the co-op determines if their co-op can afford to distribute dividends, and then dividends are determined by how much each member spent during the year.

  • It saves the Food Co-op money and enables us to return a portion of the profits to our members, keeping more money in the community. Before patronage dividends, the Co-op used to pay more than 30% of our profits in taxes. A patronage dividend system allows us to keep that money.

  • Dividend payments are based on the Food Co-op’s profit and how much you spend at the Food Co-op during the year. The more you spend, the larger your dividend. Remember, though, the Co-op aims for just a 1-2% profit, so dividend payments will never be large.

    Each year, the Board of Directors determines how much, if any, of the Co-op’s profits are designated as patronage dividends. According to IRS rules, at least 20% of the profits designated as patronage dividends must be distributed to the owner-members as cash or the equivalent. The Board may choose to retain the balance as equity, which the Co-op could use for such things as capital improvements or debt reduction. In essence, this enables us to transform taxable profit into member investment in the Co-op. The actual ratio of retained and distributed dividends will vary from year to year, depending on the amount of profit and the Co-op’s needs.

  • Members will be notified of their dividends that could be used toward purchases, redeemed for cash, or donated to the Grow Fund, our Cooperative Community Fund which helps grow our impact in our community

  • No, patronage dividends are not taxable income unless your purchases were for business purposes rather than personal use. If this is the case for you, please consult your tax adviser. Otherwise, patronage dividends are essentially a refund of money you spent in the store.

  • To satisfy various laws and regulations, the Food Co-op’s Articles of Incorporation was modified, and that required a vote of the membership. We held a general meeting, followed by a 25 day voting period, We met the requirements and began keeping the necessary records January 1, 2015, and the first dividends was distributed in 2016, after we knew whether or not we had a profit for 2015.

  • You can contact the General Manager, Kenna Eaton, at 360-385-2883 ext. 303, or the Board at coopboard@foodcoop.coop.