Co-op FAQs and Facts
Food co-ops are owned by folks in their communities, just like you, who value healthy, delicious food that’s good for everyone. We believe that food helps us celebrate our differences and brings us together!
Everyone is welcome to shop, eat and hang out at food co-ops. And everyone is welcome to join a co-op and enjoy the benefits of being an owner. There’s always great food and warm community at the co-op — and there’s always a place for you.
What is a Co-op?
A co-op is a business voluntarily owned by the people who use it and operated for the benefit of its owners. Owners pool resources to bring about results that are unobtainable by one person alone. These owner-owned, owner-governed businesses operate according to common principles agreed upon by the international cooperative community.
How can I distinguish a co-op from other organizations?
A co-op is a business, usually incorporated, that sells goods and services. It is not a charitable organization or a social service agency.
Who benefits from the co-op’s existence?
A co-op exists primarily for the benefit of its members. Many co-ops also support other parts of the community through various programs and philanthropic activities as part of their commitment to cooperative values and principles.
Who controls a co-op?
In a cooperative, members democratically control the direction of the business. In most co-ops each member gets one vote. Members elect a board of directors to monitor the business, set goals and hire management to operate their business. Ultimately, the board is accountable to the members for its decisions.
What motivates people to form a co-op?
In private or stockholder-owned businesses, individuals invest to earn a financial return. In a co-op, individuals are motivated by a shared need for certain products or services. By joining together, members gain access to products, services or markets not otherwise available to them. In other words, when forming a co-op members are motivated to become co-owners of the business primarily so that their mutual needs can be met. And co-ops return financial gains to their members, whether through discounts, lower costs or patronage refunds. People join existing co-ops for a variety of reasons. Whether it is the commitment to community, the democratic approach to business, the desire to be part of a business that is locally owned or something else “uniquely co-op” that appeals, anyone can join a cooperative!
Shared with permission from https://www.strongertogether.coop/food-coops/co-op-faqs-and-facts